A bonanza of beans...
and still hundreds more coming on
Processed and ready for the freezer...
Picking blackberries for the freezer...
to be made into jam at a later date
Picking apples from my dwarf tree. It is only as tall as me, and this is its 3rd year. I bought it as a bare rooted little stick. The first year I got one apple, last year I got quite a good crop, but this year it was loaded with at least 100 apples. I was worried the weight would break the branches. But they just continued to bend :) It is a Lord Lambourne. An old English variety I think...
Unfortunately they have the coddling moth grub in them, but I just cut that part out, and cook most of them up (the apples, not the grubs!) with some rhubarb (also from the garden). Do any of you apple growers out there have a problem with codling moth? How do you deal with it without resorting to chemicals?
Have started sewing the blanket squares together...
And am reading this book from my recent aquisitions...
Some shots from my walks this week...
the ducks were up early one morning
and the river level is low
over my back fence early one morning
and a pretty sunrise down at the river
The days are starting to close in, the early mornings are getting cooler, and the leaves are starting to turn.
Autumn is on the way!
xx
We have Codling Moth here in Washington state as well. And I believe, because apples are a large agriculture piece to our economy, backyard growers are legally required to manage codling moth on any trees they grow. There are ways to do it without chemicals. I am a Master Gardener for our local county, and volunteer in our Answer Clinic. We get quite a few calls about codling moth (and other pests and diseases). Here is what we recommend for non-chemical management:
ReplyDeleteRemove loose bark to remove hiding places for cocoons.
Attach corrugated cardboard or burlap around trunk to attract migrating larvae about to pupate. Periodically remove and destroy cocoons underneath.
Some naturally-occurring parasites may help control codling moth populations. Avoid use of broad-spectrum insecticides which may kill beneficial insects.
Bagging fruit may be effective against codling moth if the bags are placed before adult moths emerge in the spring. Options include paper lunch bags, wax paper bags, and double-layer Japanese fruit bags. Nylon mesh "footie" bags may be less effective against codling moth. Clear plastic sandwich bags may retain moisture and contribute to disease problems on the bagged fruit. Bags should be placed on UNINFESTED fruit 4-6 weeks after petal fall (when the fruit is approximately dime-sized) and should be left on for the entire growing season. Bags can be removed about 3 weeks before harvest to improve fruit color, but exposed fruit may be attacked by second-generation codling moth adults emerging mid-July to early September.
You would have to alter the timing for placement and removal of the bags for your seasons.
Best of luck!
Bekah
Thanks Bekah. I had heard of the cardboard/burlap around the trunk, but was wondering if there were any other methods. I will have to try that for next season. xx
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