Highflying Snails

Post categories: carrot, pests

Chris Howard|16:22 UK time, Monday, 8 June 2009

Last week I reported a carrot-invader amongst my veg patch. Thanks for your ideas on this. It could well be cats, as they are a clever bunch around here, waiting for the lift with me when I leave for work. I'd assumed though, being five floors up, the closest I would get to slug problems was in my advice on this blog. Yet, when I got home yesterday I found this adventurous guest on my window box. Isn't that amazing? Five stories at a snails pace! I cant bring myself to hurt it after all that effort, but what about my crops? I think lobbing it over 'a la Sara' could be a bit cruel from such a height!

I've not had that much time with my veggies recently, as I spent my weekend up in Doncaster, having a 'Dirty Weekend' at the Wildlife Trust's Potteric Carr. An amazing place, it's found by turning off the motorway though a huge industrial estate full of DIY shops, supermarkets, and a football stadium, which conceal the largest Trust reserve in the whole of Yorkshire. It's a bizarre location for an inspiring reserve with loads to do; pond dipping, wildlife walks, year-long events, and one of the best reserve cafes I have ever come across. The highlight was being shown a pair of Black-necked Grebes with their young, one of only about 60 pairs in the whole country! Have a look at some pics.

It all got me thinking about urban wildlife, and the importance of green areas. Be it a park, garden, pond or just a scraggy clump of nettles, these places are vital for wildlife and, I think, our wellbeing. I came across this interesting article today about high-rise wildlife environments. It's great that people are thinking about this, but I can't help but agree with some of the comments that this is just an expensive replacement for trees. What do you all think?

Final note - this weekend is Gardeners' World live at the NEC in Birmingham, packed with all things to do with gardening. So if you've been bitten by the 'G' bug, pop down and have a look. I will be there, with the ever resplendent Jelly from Cbeebies, and some of the Dig In crew. Be great to see as many of you as possible!

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