Wow, what a mess ! Everyone is horrified and wondering what has happened to their lawns . It is actually a combination of mostly night-visiting raccoons, skunks and daytime attacks by CROWS destroying your lawn.
As you probably know, they are looking for the grubs of the chafer beetle. It is amazing how quickly entire neighbourhoods have been vandalized by these clever-but-unaesthetic vandals ! There is not much you can do.
In late July/August, there is a nematode solution for sale at nurseries that costs about $80.00 . You mix-up a solution of this eco-friendly chafer beetle grub killer and water it in well. But, it does nothing to the adult beetles, or the ones in your neighbours lawn.
The theory is that chafer beetles lay their spawn in crummy/distressed lawns more than in lovely, moist, perfect lawns. I think this is true. I haven’t noticed the mess on healthy, very well-cared for lawns. I hope it is not on golf courses, even though I don’t golf. There is a lot to read online about this and I won’t go into it here.
We have no solution to this new problem, and don’t offer anything product-wise that could help. My suggestion is to wait til the destruction stops (nothing left to eat), then rake up the mess. Spread an even layer of nice topsoil, rake it smooth, and reseed. Either commit to putting more effort into your new lawn, or think about using a groundcover other than grass…..
January 23, 2010
Chafer Beetle Attack !
January 1, 2010
Saving The Bloedel Conservatory
I never thought it would ever be possible for a newly elected bunch of dreary city officials to so quickly destroy so much. Pity Vancouver. Our inexperienced and unevolved ‘Park Board’ is seriously planning to totally close the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park sometime in September of this year. A 1.5 million dollar gift from Seattle’s Prentice Bloedel forty years ago, ( = 50 million today), this stunning facility is in terrific shape and is many people’s favourite place to stroll, out of the rain, and introduce their children to exotic birds and plants. WE MUST SAVE IT . I have been very involved with our fundraising party called ‘Rumble in the Jungle’, which took place on Saturday, January 30th at 7 PM. It was inside the conservatory and will be remembered as one of the best parties ever held in this town !! We sold almost 400 tickets (we had to cut it off due to space restrictions). We had a full oyster bar, generously donated by Joe Fortes ! Umberto Menghi and his Il Giardino restaurant donated 600 hors d’oerves (!!!!!), BUTTER Bakery on Dunbar (Thank you Rosie !) donated about 1,000 yummy treats…..wine was from Lulu Island Winery and was a big hit !! There were lots of door prizes, from Hill’s,Mark James, Bacci’s, Blue Ruby, Hobbs….. and very few speeches. Dal Richards and his band performed, and we had an incredible Polynesian floorshow !! I am the King of Exaggeration, and even I cannot describe how amazing Hiro, the fire dancer was !!! He had fire on his feet, in his mouth, twirling 30′ in the air…..and only wearing a loincloth. You had to be there !!!!! We had 3 Kleig lights in the sky…..announcing that this building is not dead !!!!! Stay tuned people – the battle is really ‘on’ now !!!! Absolutely nobody wants to lose this fabulous, affordable place. Why should a bunch of newly elected strangers, with no political experience destroy a gift that was made to everyone ? Something that will never, ever be replaced - or duplicated ?
Here are some interesting figures uncovered by one of our Good Park Board guys,Stuart Mackinnon :
“Subsidies” to city amenities last year:
Art Gallery – $2,167,500.00
Van Dusen – $1,166,800.00
Archives - $900,000.00
Vanc. Museum$746,500.00
Maritime Museum $410,710.00
Bloedel Conservatory $250,000.00
In a year when Cambie St. was a mess, 33rd Ave was a mess, tour buses gave up, and marketing efforts were zilch, I think the Bloedel came close to breaking even. It used to MAKE money, for years. It could, and would make money again if anyone cared.
A very positive thing has happened – we, The Friends of The Bloedel, do care . We hope to help by raising money and awareness, suggesting new ideas and exciting transformations of the dreary gift shop….the outdoor plaza (how about a small coffee bar and a few patio tables/umbrellas….), hosting an orchid show, a carnivorous plant fair, a canopy walk up in the jungle ….. we are full of great ideas !!! Watch us !!! Join us ! For $20.00 , you, too can become ‘A Friend of The Bloedel’ ! You can join by sending your info to ‘The Friends of The Bloedel’ c/o this nursery.