Please don't fly away home!

Last year I was stunned by the drop in numbers of Ladybirds and other insects in my garden.  Let's face it, a reduction in tiny creatures says much more than just 'Hoorah! No greenfly!'

It's seriously worrying, as it is just one part of the chain of life which is obviously suffering, and will have a knock-on effect.  In a large part, I blame the farmers for their fields covered in hideous plastic, and also for the pesticides which they have been using. 

However, it's us consumers who are the ones who want cheap fruit, veg and grain all year round, who are setting the bar too high.  I'm trying to offset that in my own garden, by not using any chemicals.  I hand weed everything (or nothing!), and do not put down slug pellets (although I loathe and detest the existence in the world of slugs; yeughhhhhhhh!). And green, black and whitefly can make merry in my borders, chomping their way through my nasturtiums to their hearts delight!

I feel like I got a bit of a reward today by spotting two Ladybirds on the Hydrangea which I took out of a pot last year and planted in the front garden.  And, as a double bonus, it looks like I'm going to get some flowers too, for the first time since I brought the plant home from the garden centre five years ago.