Earwigs?

[Stringfellow]

Hi Charles,

Firstly, congratulations on the recent award; well deserved and I’m glad that your efforts have been acknowledged.

Couple of quick questions:

1) Some of my winter salads (pak choi and chinese cabbage for leaf) grown under glass are being nibbled by something. I’ve been out after nightfall with a torch and haven’t seen any slugs or found any caterpillars at all. Then last night I spotted an earwig, which quickly scurried off in to a small hole in the compost. Is this probably the culprit?

2) In your update you mention potting up some side shoots of sungold tomato and I remember you doing the same the previous year; I guess they were a success and this is saving some seed £?

Great shot of you at Steph’s allotment at dawn by the way, a magical time to be gardening.

Thanks for any help.

 

[charles]

I have rarely suffered any problems with earwigs and rather like them, but woodlice is another story. Partly my fault for using green waste compost undercover, its part-rotten wood attracts woodlice and their damage is serrations on outer margins of leaves, especially spinach and less so brassicas, rarely lettuce. Remedy? I don’t know, usually there need to be lots to cause noticeable damage.

Thanks for your comments. Re sideshoots it is more about trying to have some early fruit and just to see, is a lot of hassle really. Also because they are F1 seeds which don’t come true.

The photo was by Steph on her iPhone, yes its great!

[Stringfellow]

Thankyou. I’ll keep a look out for woodlice!

Just wondered if you had any plans for workshops or courses ‘oop north’ for anytime in the future? You look to be pretty busy for 2015 so I imagine it might be tricky.

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

[charles]

Thanks for the idea Tris, it looks unlikely I’m afraid. Last year’s trip to Harrogate was over 6 hours driving each way. Apart from that, it would be great! Perhaps next November.

[Stringfellow]

No worries Charles, that’s a long drive! Enjoyed the course and it consolidated much from your books. If I’m ever near your part of the world I hope to be able to call in to see your garden – that would be great!

Thanks again.

[Author]

Posts