GET GROWING

LOOK OUT FOR QUEEN WASPS

They may be setting up residence at your place. Usually, the big queens find a dry space in the ground, perhaps amongst the roots of a dead tree or under a pile of prunings, and build their papery nests there. Unearthing nests in sites like these can be painful experiences, as I can attest, along with many other gardeners who have learned that wasps dislike disturbance and are quick to share their annoyance with you. I’ve been stung on many occasions, and usually don’t know what’s going on until they’ve landed a good many hits. This year, I’ve discovered a queen German wasp constructing the core of what she no doubt hopes will be a much larger nest among the rafters of the loft over our garage. So far, it’s only the size of a golf ball, but I can see several grubs wriggling in there and imagine that once born, they will add to the structure. I’m going to intervene before they get that far and I suggest that if you know of a wasp nest developing in the same way, you attend to it now, while it’s tiny, as it won’t stay that way for long. Robert Guyton This column is adapted from the weekly e-zine, get growing, from New Zealand Gardener magazine. For gardening advice delivered to your inbox every Friday, sign up for Get Growing at: getgrowing.co.nz

prevent the nets from touching the leaves you are trying to protect. When you’ve successfully netted your brassicas away from the sort of harm hungry caterpillars can do, don’t cease your inspections – some cunning white will be sure to get in somehow, and you have to get to the rogue eggs it’ll leave behind before they hatch and start chewing. Vigilance is paramount! – Robert Guyton