adekun’s japan blog

Enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of first-time parenthood. Progress on the vegetable garden and other ramblings of a gaijin in Japan’s least populous prefecture.

July 19, 2007

Things that go munch in the night

Filed under: garden — adekun @ 10:01 pm

From a distance it looked like tiny metallic baubles stuck to the underside of a sweet potato leaf. Uncertain what laid them or what they are going to develop into, the shadow offers a hint? I guess whatever grows isn’t going to restrict it’s feeding to wee hours. My elderly neighbour has spent the past week, dancing around his peas with his butterfly net. Hopefully I can find these again, amongst the sea of leaves and vines and check up on their progress.
Caterpillar Eggs
Yesterday the potatoes got harvested. The area they occupied along with the onions and garlic was dug over.
When I was putting away the tools I spotted a Kamikirimushi that had expired, the ants already at it.
Kamikirimushi
Although the spuds didn’t get earthed up, I am content with the crop. Really pleased with the Danshaku, considering the lack of attention.
My wife did slap some sun lotion on my back, the finger marks can still be seen against the sunburn. As a result, I didn’t spend too much time outside today. A load of weeds were turned in, along with the mother-in-law’s tulip bulbs. Two consecutive days of sunshine and it’s nearly August.

5 Comments »

  1. Hi Adekun,
    I hope you don’t mind but I’ve tagged you for the Seven Random (Gardening) Facts About Me, Meme. I really wanted to learn more about your interests in veg gardening. Visit http://www.farmingfriends.com/seven-random-garden-facts/
    for the rules.
    Sara from farmingfriends

    Comment by farmingfriends — July 19, 2007 @ 10:12 pm

  2. Great pictures. What kind of plant was it laid on. It looks like Colorado Potato Bettle but then I don’t know what kind of pests you have in your area.

    P.S. My eggplant ‘nose’ must have been further up then your protrusion ;-)

    Comment by Ottawa Gardener — July 21, 2007 @ 1:16 am

  3. Fantastic photos, I wish I could take shots like that. I envy you your sunshine. We’ve had weeks of uninterrupted rain here in the UK. Most of the crops have rotted in the ground or been eaten by slugs and snails, but like you I’ve had a good spud crop.

    Comment by Mel Rimmer — July 23, 2007 @ 4:53 am

  4. The shadow on the leaf is great. Was it deliberate or happy coincidence?

    Comment by Karen — July 23, 2007 @ 8:38 pm

  5. I’ll get onto the seven things, soonish Sara, same as the next lot of spuds.
    There are plenty of beetles around, mostly on the parsley. They tend to have red stripes. Large beetles are prized toys and all the gear to keep and nurture them can be bought in the shops.
    It was a job to focus on the eggs as there was just enough breeze to keep the leaf moving. I saw the inbound caterpillar and only had time for the one shot. It’s a little out of focus but glad I got it.
    Today is our second, two consecutive sunny days in a week. I’ve just put the awning over the decking…

    Comment by adekun — July 24, 2007 @ 4:34 pm

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