We are also having a rather strange and frustrating season, firstly I grew over 50,broccoli,cauliflower and cabbage plants, they all reached the beginings of getting their third leaf and I left them uncovered for only half a day ( I had them covered with fleece to keep cabbage fly away) I came back to cover them and they were covered with little black insects eating them!
they had turned them into skeletons....... gggrrrrr.
I have planted more seeds and this time they will remain covered........
Also something is eating my beans! they have just gotthen their first two leaves, but not for long! they have also been eaten. Once again I have planted a whole lot more seeds so I hope they will survive.
Last year we were stuggling through lack of rain and crazy high temeratures, this year we have had rain but the pest numbers are way up, although I have noticed a larger number of ladybirds around, which is amvery good sign.
Onions, carrots, potatoes, strawberries sweetcorn beetroot and squashes seem to be doing great, so all is not lost.
On a good note our regular Corncrake is back, he is spending most of his time " crakeing" patroling his area. He loves the fields infront of the house, they are both pretty much natural meadow.
All our growing areas get a good cover of mulch, its usually well composted sheep,and chicken manure.
Goog luck with the growing Nina.
Greetings from Savonlinna.
Nicola.
