It is only about 1.5 to 2 inches tall, is very dark, almost black on

the outside, and is striped on the front.

Here’s a photo, so if anyone knows what it is, please let me know.

If you’ve enjoyed any of the posts on this blog, I’d really like to
know what you think of them.

Alternatively, what would you like to read here?   More about
gardening?    Mulching, plants, being water-wise?

Please feel free to let me know just what you’d like to see on
this blog,  Green Gardening, and I’ll be happy to write on the
topic.   I enjoy writing and research!

Usually, I find weeding the garden is a chore, especially when I
feel guilty because I’ve let it go so long that there are heaps of
unwanted plants growing everywhere!     This morning, however,
was different.

It was a beautiful day, about 18C when I got up at 6 am, to water
the garden before it got too hot.   That took about an hour and a
quarter, then breakfast was in order, and a little housework.

While the floors were drying, out to the front garden, armed with
a garden fork, secateurs, and some determination to make a
difference to at least part of the area needing attention.

Sitting on my gardening pad, in a shady patch under some
trees, I managed to make great inroads into the weeds, only
stopping when I’d filled the green rubbish bin.

It was really pleasant out there, magpies warbling, other birds
who live in my garden watching me work, little blue and brown
butterflies flitting around, and even a few young praying mantis
wandering around bushes.

How come things are different now?    I discovered that a few snail
pellets scattered around the plants helped, but what was more
successful was to place some straw around the plants.   It seems
that slugs and snails don’t like crawling over straw, so it is
very discouraging for them.

We are still working on getting bird netting totally around the
soft fruit pen, so the blackbirds are enoying the odd raid on
the strawberries, but I like birds in my garden, so won’t complain
about that.   I like to see the blackbirds nesting in the fruit trees.

Due to a combination of circumstances, and plenty of rain recently,
everything in the garden that I don’t want to grow is growing like
crazy – weeds are everywhere!

It’s either been too hot to get out there and work, or too wet.   Just
when the weather is right, I’m too sick, wouldn’t you know it.

Today, I promised myself I’d at least get out there for an hour and
remove just a few of the weeds.     Actually managed to get well over
an hour of weeding done, and cleared part of a path, so I could
re-mulch it.   Got to say it looks much better now!

Don’t be like me, and let your garden get away from you – it’s
so much easier to keep up with it all, and the garden looks so
much better too!

The plum tree is dropping fruit all over the grass as it ripens.
There is no way I can use all of it, but this morning I bottled
some plums for Winter.   There was a lot of juice left over, so
this was also bottled – it makes a nice cold drink.

Usually, there are heaps of birds helping themselves to the
plums at the top of the tree, but this year, so far, they haven’t
shown up.   Wonder what’s happened to them?

Zucchinis are growing faster than I can use them, so some
have been given away to neighbours and friends.   Reminder
to self:  Next year don’t plant so many zucchini seeds!

Although the blackbirds have been helping themselves to
my raspberries, there are still plenty left for me.   Some have
been frozen and many have already been eaten.   Tonight
there will be raspberries and cream for dessert!

Another reason to have a garden is to grow some of your
own organic food.    I have a variety of fruit trees, and try
growing various seasonal vegetables.

For me, the hardest part of gardening is the maintenance.
Sometimes, I have to admit, I spend far too much time on
this computer, and not enough in the garden, so the weeds
can take over, and create a jungle.

Motivation to garden is the problem here, although once I’m
out there working, I tend to forget the time, and really become
involved in what I’m doing.

If you’re feeling a bit down, I find it helps to get out in the garden,
and do a bit of work which involves getting my hands dirty.   It
always makes me feel better.    The garden generally looks a little
tidier afterwards too.

Here’s a shot of part of my back garden as it should look, but
seldom does!