Bug Off!

We seem to be having a few bug problems at the moment.  We have been potting in the garden recently rather than spending long afternoons gardening.  The heat of summer and our work patterns have been to blame.  This has lead to a free for all for bugs.  They have taken over the garden!  Black fly have invaded the broad beans, caterpillars have been spotted in our brassicas and green flies invaded the tomatoes.  


I am not so worried about the tomatoes, mostly because I have seen an increased amount of ladybirds.  Nature has taken care of that problem  for us.  What few greenfly are left will be sprayed with dilute washing up liquid.  I can't remember where I discovered this trick but last years were covered one week and fine the next so I know it works!  


The broad beans are slowly taking shape,  I'm waiting for the pods to fatten up before harvesting.  While waiting Al and I noticed that there where a few black looking bugs growing on the plant but dismissed it as nothing to worry about as we had seen a few ants enjoying a feast however during the time we've not been proactive gardeners the black bugs took advantage.  The next time we go down the black fly are everywhere and in some places thick with them.  Even on the bean pods there is a thick black line of bug. 


 For the record I do not like using pesticides.  I think nature has a way of working things out far better than man made chemicals can but the problem seemed to be getting worse.  I was starting to worry about the crop and if I would be able to harvest anything.  As much as I like leaving nature to it there is a limit!   So they have been sprayed with a general bug killer.  It seems to have worked, there appears that they have all died.   The few that remain have been spotted along with a few ants.


It is our first year of growing brassicas so it is the first year of any related problems.  I always thought that the stories about brassicas were a storm in a tea cup.   Now I'm the one freaking out over my brassicas.  I noticed a patch of yellow eggs  which were quickly brushed off.  In an ironic sort of way a catapillar came off too so it was a good job I found it when  I did.   The plan of action here is to brush off any eggs we find and spray with dilute washing up liquid and hope.