Hello guys

[sulia]

My name is Jane, married to Malcolm, aged 54..(me, not him) Work full time, have small south facing garden in West Midlands...small but very productive...quince, apple, plum, rhubarb, grapes, raspberries, strawberries, peppers, leeks, potatoes, tomatoes, courgettes, spring onions, onions...and many herbs as well...I also like to encourage natural predators ......and we compost whatever we can..

[FionaH]

Hi welcome to the Vine

[Bren In Pots]

Hello Jane and welcome to the vine

[chris]

Wow, award goes to younger the most comprehensive introduction ever welcome to the forum! Sounds like you're well equipped with plenty of knowledge

[Pumpkin Becki]

Hi and welcome to the Vine from me too . Can we ask you to pop your location into your profile (you needn't be specific), it can help if you have a climate/weather type question

[binley100]

Hi from me too......I'm in the West Mids too , its a very large area.......

[Newton]

Welcome sulia....we look forward to learning about your adventures in growing and composting. We have many natural predators here.....we all like Mr BE. But don't encourage him.......

[bearded bloke]

Hello & welcome,another West Midlands member

[Florence Fennel]

Hello and a very warm welcome to the Vine.

[daisygrubber]

Hi and welcome.

[ginger ninger]

Hello Jane, and a very warm welcome to the vine from Jinn y Cat & Me as well.

[sulia]

Thanks for all the welcome folks! Specifically Bedworth, West Midlands, is were I live. Now, may I ask what might be a minute black beetle that has made a home in one of the roses in our garden..it is tiny, about the size of a small flea, actually even smaller...it tends to crawl rather than fly....as we don't like to use pesticides could anyone suggest what it is and what natural predator might be encouraged to munch it for dinner? Also, we have an infestation of ants in our compost bin, can we leave them alone or will they hurt the worms?

[Helgalush]

Hello & welcome... I'm sorry I cant answer any of your questions though.

[sulia]

Not to worry, but thanks anyway! It may help someone to know that I have seen these same tiny black beetles before in both daffodils and petunias....but when you try to inhale the sweet smell of the first daffs you don't want half a dozen tiny beetles up your nose! lol

[arpoet]

Hi Jane.. welcome from Sunny (well, lashing it down) Sheffield.
Roger