Published via Ecency

After nearly two weeks of terrible weather, we finally made it to the garden again, constant downpours with unexpected snowy days shocked us and forced us to slow down.
Above all, we spent quite a bit of time standing at the window (the perfect spot for viewing the entire planting area) and prayed that the harsh frost do not visit us. The only thing I did was shake off moistness from the nylon-closed, newly built and planted raising bed - pretty boring.

Proudly presenting you green salad and chives (which is on the other side, to small to be captured) home! I already had planted two rows of green salad, as weather is very unstable deal was to plant some in "closed and more warmer" place, so we did it, less than two weeks old salad babies. I'm amazed how fast they grow, one step away to reach the garden team.
Because it seemed pleasant under the nylon, the ants decided to bring the entire colony in.
Yes, the entire group was waiting for me this morning, working hard not paying any attention to the human who hangs above their heads.

I wasn't happy; I have nothing against ants, but they are buggers and quick destroyers; I had no choice but to get rid of them as soon as possible.

What is it that ants don't like?

I saw a lot of recommendations online about adding a few drops of essential oils, mixing this and that, chalk was an option too (I didn't have any), and oils seemed like something I wouldn't go for.

On the contrary baking soda and powdered sugar sounded promising. Ant's adore sugar, but definitely are not fans of baking soda.
How to apply it? Mix the same amount of soda and sugar, sprinkle it all over the ant's path.

Why is it important for sugar to be in powder?
Cause ant's aren't stupid, they would choose the sugar crystals taking them to the Queen and leave the soda grains to dissolve, smart-asses.
When both are same consistency, it will be hard for them to make an difference, one bite one ant less.

Between salad and chives a canal is left, not sure why I made it after all but definitely now it has it's purpose, mixture is placed along entire length.

Also next to the wall on the side where chives is.
Now waiting to catch what will happen, will the ant's get attracted by the sweet scent of the sugar.

First visitor arrived not so long after, it gave me a tough task grabbing a moment with my not macro lens. Others arrived too, diligently picking up the crumbs and carrying them further.

This fatty seem not to be fan of soda too, but he decided to leave the house.
Hopefully the results will show tomorrow, as thought of using insecticide really disturbs me.

Anyone had same experience or know some tips and tricks? Feel free to share, I like to experiment.

Apart from ants, what also worries us are fruits. This is neighbors apple, with last year leftovers, strong and happy wild and not tasty but alive and not frightened what kind of temperature will be.

Apricots grew so magnificently on those sunny days, some blooms could not survive. They were cut off by the cold and dried up.

We're still crossing our fingers for some blossoms that may mean recovery. While the wind was blowing, white petals were scattered all over the orchard, nice and sad scene at the same time.

Cherry, the queen of flowering.
Fortunately, it opens its petals a little later, regardless of the teasing of the premature sun.
(when was a kid, each season I had to cut off few brunches and have them in vase, do much beauty)

Plums belongs to the group of the early birds blooming,partially damaged blossom, you can see the scorched yellowish edges, those will fall off...
If Plum was a competitor, prize for the best scent will go the it's addressee.
Looking forward to some homemade jam!
Hang in there!

Soon we should consider fertilizing the orchard, soil is maybe even too neutral and except the oxygen brought from the various wild plants that over-flooded ground nothing else is on the plate.

Choke-berries, it's getting bushy in here, they didn't mind recent humidity too much, on contrary it helped them to leaf out.
Tropinota hirta was here, first bugs noticed.
We dont want them here at all, these omnivores are able to destroy the entire tree, starting with the sweetest part - the flower.

Soon as possible, traps will be placed all over the orchard, sweet traps, as this specie also prefers sweet treats.
There is no final solution for Tropinota except of the a preventive mixture of water and dish liquid, which will attract them and in which they will eventually drown.
Other method is manually picking bugs from the tree.

Reason they appear are mild winter and early high temperatures, buried in the ground, hibernating until the temperature arises and blooming cycle starts.