Riders of the Purple Sage

Lovely clear photo Muddy , my ladybirds all started to move out of their bunches last week when we had some sunshine , I should think they,ve rushed back to be together this week it's pouring down with rain .....

Beautiful pic Muddy....

Good news having them in the garden. Haven't spotted (!) one here yet.

They survived the winter well, lets hope they munch all those greenfly and keep the roses free all summer.

Thanks folks . . yes, a very useful part of the Gardeners Army! Pretty too of course. :-))

They are having a meeting! The warm sun brought them out.

Nominated to GoY-pedia. Perfect photo. Ladybirds look like toys, just to touch them :) What kind of camera do you use?

Beautiful aphid noshers! I haven't seen any in my garden..I hardly ever do see them really, it's very sad. Hopefully they are out there somewhere, hiding somewhere nice and warm and dry!

brilliant picture Muddy ;0)

Excellent picture!!!!

Wonderful photo,Muddy...like Karen,I hardly ever see them in my garden..mind you,I hardly ever have any greenfly either..maybe there isn't enough to eat for them..

Lovely to see :o)

Hello Bloomer, I think that ladybirds are attracted to garden by some types of herbs. You can find them easily on google.

Thank you,Katarina..I will do that...I assumed they looked for aphids,as a main source of food..

Look at those glossy lovelies...Sage is in good condition as well Muddy.

Here is the link, Bloomer:
http://www.ehow.com/list_7612615_plants-ladybugs-like.html

Thank you,Katarina..very interesting..I do have a few of the plants suggested in this link,so maybe I just haven't seen them..I don't use pesticides at all,only an organic garlic spray,which is said that it doesn't harm beneficial insects..but it does clear up aphids..I suppose I can't have everything..:o)

wow wonderful picture. I have just unearthed a purple sage in my border to make way for a geranium. Methinks I need to find another plant to put it. Wonderful detail on those lady buds and love the texture on the leaves. Excellent!

great shot muddy, iv seen lots to in my garden amongst old stems etc, so cant clear them untill my guests leave ;o)

That soubnds interesting, Bloomer :) Is that garlic spray available as a commercial product or is it home-made?

Mine is a commercial product from the garden centre,Katarina..but when I have finished it,I am going to make my own..some members do that,but I can't remember who posted the 'recipe '...I know it has to be diluted to a weak solution,before use..so hopefully,someone will add a reminder for us both..I have used it for a number of years now,and found it to be effective..

:) Good to know. Thank you.

I might ask on 'Questions',as I'm sure that is where I saw it before..:o)

Excuse my interruption Ladies...I think Bamboo and Moongrower have posted recipes for the Garlic spray.

Thanks for letting us know,Pimms..that's great..off to take a look now..:o)

Lovely picture Muddy. I have seen loads of ladybirds on the allotment garden and in the garden, which is a good start to the year. how come your sage is looking so healthy, when mine still looks like a twig!

I can't find it,Pimms..but I remembered it was either Mg or Bamboo,when you mentioned them..the good news is,I have just googled'Garlic Barrier' and lots of info on there..in fact I have found lots of interesting info.about all sorts of unwanted 'guests' in the garden..but thank you anyway..:o)...Hope you read this,Katarina..very helpful...:o)

I just GoY searched " Garlic Spray" Bloomer a few come up ...This one is Tugbrethil's

"I would put a pint of water into a blender, add six peeled cloves of raw garlic, aand two tablespoons of olive oil, and liquify it. Then add a two tablespoons of organic washing up fluid, and stir vigorously, to keep the oil from separating--without making enough foam for an "I Love Lucy" episode. That will make enough concentrate to make about 8 gallons of spray."

I will take a look at that one as well,Pimms,thanks..I automatically looked at Garlic Barrier,as that is the commercial name of mine..didn't think to look at 'spray'..but the info is very similar..With some,it says not to keep it for a long time,unless you want to freeze it..so a much smaller amount would be adequate for one season..Organic W.U. Liquid is the correct one..or a pure liquid soap from a health shop..for mixing..There are a few variations for ingredients,and methods ,so enough to make a choice to suit everyone..Thank you so much,for going to the trouble of looking for Katarina and I,and anyone else who may be interested..:o))

What a lovely picture Muddy....all those subtle leaf colours then.....wow in the middle 4 proper lady birds, and not black or yellow. I have noticed a lot in our garden and hope they survive to munch a few greenies.

Thanks Dorjac . . . maybe it'll be a good year for insects (and us!).

Muddywalter, we had such song, in which there are words like these "they say that only insects will survive". Pshh.

Katarina, let's hope we never have to find out if it's true.

wow! brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!