Biodiversity FTW

I had a few different plans for this post, mostly resulting from the fact that I haven't really done much in the garden lately. One idea was going to be titled "MEH", and was going to be a depressing rant on how I have lost interest in the vegies lately. Another was going to be "What I've learnt so far" and I was just going to outline a few things I've learnt in the patch as we've muddled along - actually I may still throw that in at the end, depending on how long the post ends up being. Nope, too long today, I'll save that one for another day.

All my other ideas were thrown out the window after a brief visit to the vegie bed this evening. I wasn't even going to go out to the garden today, after having such a 'meh' time at work lately I wanted nothing more than to zone out on the couch. However I thought I'd better have a quick look.

Interest restored! Some interesting things are happening out there lately:

• The vegie bed has been completely swamped by inch worms. These have really tucked into the rocket and the tomato leaves, and done minor damage to the basil and celery leaves.

• Ladybugs! I am seeing quite a few ladybugs out there, which can only be a good sign.
• There are now quite a few ants in the bed, and this seems to me like a really good development - especially since I spotted a crowd of ants eating an inch worm! Fingers crossed they might move on to the slaters next?? :)

I had been meaning to ask my gardening buddies how to tell when my beans are ready to be picked. Well, it's now a moot point as the slaters have been tucking right into them and gnawing the ends off! So I've brought in the grand harvest - 5 beans :D The photo is a bit misleading - the angle makes them look like a normal bean size, but actually they're only about 8-10cm long.

It's a bit hard to see in this picture, but this particular ladybug was eating a small insect - I think a tiny green flying thing.

So I haven't quite given up on the patch yet, although I do really want to get cracking on some other parts of the garden. Most of all we need to get the hang of harvesting as soon as the food is ready, before the bugs eat it all. I say "we", but since Mr Bon is the head cook, it's really his job... :D