We wait and hope and dream of the long, warm summer evenings. And then…The tiny little midges arrive. In their thousands. Sucking the blood out of us softer skinned folk.
I need to read more about why the midges prefer some of us to others. Not enough zinc, need more vitamins, we’re sweeter. Do you know why the corner of my eye has been bitten yet Mr G is sitting next to me untouched? If so, please share.
The citronella oil is working well in the burner on the patio table (but lit too late for my right eyelid) and the insect repellent is effective out and about, but sadly not to be relied upon when sitting outside with a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio.
Still, we’re never quite sure if, or how many more opportunities we’ll have to be able to drink alfresco in the late evening light when the children are in bed and we can enjoy the tranquility. So we’re enduring the annoying little insects, and over the coming days I’ll be researching every insect repelling plant that I can grow in a container and surround the patio with.
I’ll share it with you as soon as I know.
Dee Sewell – a horticulturalist and certified trainer who started Greenside Up in 2009 and teaches people how to grow vegetables. Dee specialises in working with community gardens but also offers workshops, allotment visits, consultations, horticultural therapy, afterschools clubs as well as local talks – she tailors her services to meet clients needs. In 2012 Dee launched a Seed Gift Collection containing varieties of vegetable and insect friendly flowers with the aim of getting more people growing. Dee’s blog was a finalist in the 2012 Ireland Blog Awards in the Eco/Green and Lifestyle Categories.
Source: GreenSide Up – The Irony that is the Irish Summer – Dee Sewell
