I know this probably looks somewhat strange to you, because the first couple of days it looked eerie and ghostly even, to me. Especially, near dusk when I'd look out the window of my kitchen...eyes squinted, thinking, 'what is that?'...
Oh yeah, it's our fruit trees! Yes, we "bagged 'em!"
We HAD TO, the 'hoppers were eating them. I want them to make it thru the first year, for crying out loud. Some got eaten and the hoppers left them alone and moved on to greener... FOOD! Soon, those little trees began putting out new leaves--to my shock and excitement.
That's when I got the idea to cover them.
Two years ago, I bought 27 yards of tull at Walmart in the mark down bin-- for about 1 buck a yard; I thought it was worth it. I covered one of my garden boxes that summer with it and it worked pretty well. It wasn't attractive; but it worked.
So this year, I used what I had left and covered my young fruit trees. So far so good!
We are on the defense and by next year--hope to be on the offense-- last Sunday we purchased these little creatures.
KEETS! Guinea youngins'
I hope that they are that quick when it comes to getting rid of grasshoppers. They'll be big enough in about 5-6 more weeks, then, I can let them out to start eating bugs.
Not for sure if we'll have 'hoppers then, although, I don't know why not-- at this rate, I don't think they're ever going to leave!
They're awful little creatures, grasshoppers!
The only one that likes them is Buster---
my other grasshopper defense.
YES! he is a 'hopper eater!
(and) Let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. ~Galatians 6:9
14 comments:
I live in Northern Colorado, and we have a huge grasshopper invasion, too.
Your trees do look ghostly! Great idea though. What the deer don't eat, here, the grasshoppers will go after.
That Buster is a very handsome dog!
nancyr
Good luck with those hoppers! We have lots of them but they never get big, must be some tiny variety.
Good luck with the guineas! I have heard they are fantastic at bug control.
Hi Nancy-
Yes, he is turning out to be quite the looker as dogs go,(he may have more Shepherd in him than I first realized). He has a great personality too. He is growing and is more than 1/2 the size of Trouble our Boxer. He has started to bark and sound the alarm when things are amiss-- I like that. Gracie used to do that (she is his predecessor).
We don't have a problem with deer here... though, they aren't too far from here- they never come up to this area.
Take care! thanks for the sweet comments- Pat
Hi Christina-
yes, I've heard the same. I hope these little guys grow up to devour the hoppers!
I hope also they can all play nicely with the chickens. :/
take care, thanks for stopping by!
Wow, you are really on top of it. Love your thinking and using that fabric. Hope it works...that and the guineas.
Liz
I have seen a few people in our area using tull to protect their new trees. Not sure whats eating them, we don't have many grasshoppers around here. Those guineas would be great hopper eaters!
Good idea! You do have to be defensive to save your crop. I'm going to have to cover my grapes and cherries next year. Too late this year.
LOL- There for a minute I thought I had gone all physic or something and was "seeing" other worldly beings. Thank goodness you explained those! What a great idea but I do think it would be fun at Halloween with a little ghostly uplighting! xo Diana
I was going to ask what hoppers were and then in the end you said grasshoppers. I don't think I ever see grasshoppers here.
Your trees look like a neat Halloween display. Glad it's working. Buster likes greasshoppers? That's usually a cat thing!
Tulle saved our tomatoes this year. I wrapped some around our tomato cages while the mocking birds squawked at me. Guess who got to eat the tomatoes? We did! Poor birds.
Interesting use of materials! They do look ethereal...
I love it that the little chicks will eat grasshoppers, and your dog, too! I have heard they're tasty...but have not indulged myself. Maybe since they're abundant, you could find a tasty recipe and test them and let us know! Another form of protein and a survival skill, too! :)
What a great idea. I am so glad you have a hopper eater!
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