Unusual Front Gardens #40: A very hungry caterpillar
Here's something to cheer up those January blues with a look back at the hot days of last July and a discovery I made on my Cheerful Chippenham judging round. It made me chuckle a lot at the time and I've only just realised how ironic it is now as most of Chippenham's box hedges have been decimated by the dreaded box caterpillar. Cheerful Chippenham is a great project to be involved with. Around 30 volunteers are each given a specific part of Chippenham as their patch and have around a month to have a look at everyone's front gardens alongside some judging criteria to ensure we're all consistent. Those who have done something positive with their plot are deemed worthy of a Good Front Garden award. It's surprising how many aren't, including me! Long Covid meant I lost the plot big time last year. Roll on summer 2026!
After chatting on Twitter to @Powersflowers, who also loves 'Roof and Wall opportunists' (as she calls them), I feel the need for a photoblog series coming on...
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI've just read your comment on the Sea of Immeasurably Gravy blog and thought you might be interested in a small piece of advice. For the longest time, one of our cats had a pee problem, and we were at our wits' end until a vet suggested washing the spots where he'd pee with vinegar as it disguises the smell. And it really seems to have worked. And tenacity is really needed dealing with these problems.
Lovely photo and "squatters" :-)
Helen
What a beautiful photo. Such natural tenacity!
ReplyDeleteJust realised that you're article title specifically features the word "tenacity" as well. Woops! Perhaps I could've thought of a more original word! How about determination? Haha
DeleteUtterly beautiful image! Tenacious tendency works for me. Please can I share?
ReplyDeleteJust had a thought about the cat problem. The main thing to do is to break the habit a.s.a.p. you could try feeding the cat in that area so it breaks the association.. They don't generally pee where they eat. As Helle says vinegar might kill smell but don't use bleach (you probably already knew that) or we use 'Urine Off' which kills smell. Good luck..
ReplyDeleteWe have a roof as such. It starts with just a simple spore and now years later it has a lovely crop of ferns covering most of it. A green roof...naturally created. I love it! Thanks for sharing. I, for one could do with a dose more tenacity!
ReplyDeleteLove this...amazing how things can grow in any conditions!
ReplyDeletegreat shot!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute and beautiful pic!! Loved this! Tremendous work with this blog,,This is really a fascinating blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comments everyone :)
ReplyDeleteA special thanks goes to Helle and Arabella for coming over with their cat tips - fingers crossed we've cured the problem, but I'll bear your ideas in mind if Jess starts all over again.