Just an update to using wood ash to ward off snails and slugs.

Didnt work for me. I had to move the tomatoes into the garden and within
a couple of days the whole crop was eaten even with a good ridge of ash
around the outside. I kept it protected from the rain so it didnt get
wet. My aubergines were half destroyed too so I've brought the remains
in and will continue them indoors for a while.

The only luck I do seem to have in the garden is with fruit. My red
currents, black current, alpine strawberry (fruiting even into December)
and blackberry being the best and most reliable crops. There is only a
slight nibble to the strawberry by snails. Red current has already some
small green berries.

My fig is getting better each year as it matures. There's fruit now
which is bigger than last year for this time of season. My grape vines
which I thought were dead have been going nuts over the past couple of
weeks.

The dwarf pear which looked promising wintering indoors was a massive
fight against insects and I think I might have lost. I slug it outside
to try and encourage natural predators but it may have been too late to
save it for this year.

I have a small cobnut tree in a large tub which it seems very happy with
so I'm looking forward to Septembers possible crop of nuts.

Coriander that was in the kitchen window has now been moved as the
direct sun was starting to have an effect on the leaves. I'm happy with
the fast growth and it's a nice smell too.There is a small basil growing
with it and it's now picking up in growth. Some rosso which I can't wait
to try. Have just repotted some bell peppers and chili which is growing
well.

I'm expecting another good summer as a plant that I've had for the past
six years usually flowers a month early (April and not May) if the
summer is going to look good. I've done that two years in a row now.

Oh. Not all just about the ash. Sorry. But I'm getting excited about all
the nice fruit we're going to have in the next few months. :-)

I think another grape vine and some more fruits are on my shopping list.

Kev,