Re: blackbirds and cutworms
> "f. cardama" wrote:
>
> in my case I am absolutely convinced that they disturb the mulch to
> eat cutworms.
Hi francisco
I do realize that the birds must also be finding things other than worms
which I would be glad to do without. Indeed it is some years since I
actually saw a cutworm, except very occasionally in weed patches, which
are not so easy for them to dig.
I really do feel anyhow I can spare them a few worms, but I still
deplore the destruction and mess. Having to replant things like onions
not once but even two or three times is not my idea of fun and does the
young onions no good either. This year I put some ornamental cabbages
(with the white and coloured leaves) under one of my apple trees. The
darker reddish ones almost exactly match the colour of the perennial
wallflower sharing the bed with them, which I feel is most pleasing.
While these have not been dug right out each in turn has been
undermined, presumably to get at worms sheltering under the roots. I
keep on filling in the holes and so far the cabbages look all right, but
it can't be helping their growth.
At least my onion patch has been spared for the last couple of years
since I finally took to covering it with a tunnel of strong nylon mesh.
This is high enough to protect the plants till the bulbs are about half
grown and the bed somewhat consolidated, at which stage the blackies
have thankfully lost their interest and are getting ready to go on
holiday!!!
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata (near Wellington, capital city of New Zealand)
