Is it the year of the greenfly?

[FB.]

So it seems that we can either have snails (wet), or aphids (dry).
I'll take the aphids - I think

[Dottie]

My blackberries were covered in greenfly about 3 or 4 weeks ago, I hadn't visited the lottie again until yesterday due to illness, and the greenfly seems to have gone. I do have lots of ladybirds on my plot, so seems like they just got on and did what they do best.

All my spinach and swiss chard has bolted, so the compost heap gets a good feed instead of me.

[WeeGarden]

I've just been on greenfly duty out in the garden. On one poor strawberry plant, there were so many clustered in the crown that the plant looked like it was moving. *shudders*

I spray with Ecover washing up liquid, and I think it drowns them, but the next day, a new population of babies take their place.

[FB.]

My strawberries are always aphid-free - the aphids are far too busy sucking at my apple trees and the OH's roses.

[vicky]

Well I haven't got many ON the plants but the air is thick with the blighters flying around! I have noticed there's been not one lily beetle this year - maybe killed off by the cold winter?

[ardroil]

yes loads of the little beggers on my plants too, im blasting them of with the water sprayer....

[jogette]

Lily beetle is definitely around - got 8 of the blighters yesterday (from 2 plants).
I noticed today that grubs are feeding on the seed heads of the snake head fritillaries - nasty things!
I love the great feeling of satisfaction from squashing the little perishers

[rana]

Yes Jogette - the lilly beetles turned up here last week. Not many greenfly but have got blackfly on my pot of runner beans - and they've only just germinated.