will my neighbours' plastic owl deter birds&friendly insects?

I want one of them !

 

Okay start the bidding Harry!

I waited a long time for him, probably seven or eight years as I couldn't find one I liked that was big enough even in stone. My children commissioned him from a chain saw artist, you'll probably find someone similar in your area.

 

So made with a chain saw interesting ....

 

Many thanks for this.

 

Lol!

 

Interesting. Thanks.

 

Ha ha! Its hilarious - is the pic for real or has it been doctored?!

 

I shall bear that in mind. I'm on the look out for slugs at present, to make a short video. As a poet I often write about such things and have gained a cult local following on account of them - my debut book featured a fair few of them! No doubt I'll get a load of barracking from a small minority on here for saying that, but it is true. I have filmed the snail segment of my video, now I'm casting for slugs.

 

a lovely owl.

 

It has yet to develop as I've just been in one month and had little time, for the moment I have planted oregano, plus a small lavender I picked up for a song. I will be growing more. I also grow herbs indoors. All of your herbs sound great and I have enjoyed growing all these in the past,with the exception of chervil which I've no experience of growing: all the best with it and hope to hear of your progress. Any photos?

 

No photos, mostly they're in a long row of large pots so that we can keep them under control. Chervil is delicious and not widely grown here, more popular in France. It grows very easily but unusually likes some shade, in sun it will bolt very quickly. With not too much protection it will usually carry on through the winter, the flavour is of an aniseed type but not as pronounced as tarragon. It is one of the 5 French Fines Herbs and looks like a slender parsley, I think it's best added towards the end of cooking and in salads. The other herb I wouldn't be without and which is also less popular (or known) generally is "Sariette" or savory. I don't know whether you know it? It's of the thyme family and you can get a summer one which is usually milder and doesn't grow through the winter or the winter one which grows all year. Lovely with all egg dishes, salads etc.
We also have sorrel which is so "cut and come again", 3 types of sage, 4 or 5 different mints, dill, chives and garlic chives and this year we're adding edible flowers.

 

Thanks - sounds great. So atm I am growing lavender, lovely - but also oregano. Its growing quite thick and green now, is it ok to start taking snips off to put in with cooking?

 

Actually its the other way round: they show no regard for the wider world of biodiversity, beyond their own desire to stand and have a ciggie in a "nice" looking garden. I've nothing against that - in fact I have been known t do this myself - but I do find it depressing when people are closed-off to other points of view. So far they have slapped up plastic fencing around the whole patch, even on land that they agreed I would cultivate. They have taken the lion's share of the garden and are now putting up new fences "to keep the cats away." Never once have they said, "What do you think?" If you want to try and have a go at reasoning with them, be my guest - believe me I am a polite and reasonable person and my criticism is not at all as casual as you suggest, as my original post makes clear. Every day I get up to find they have made some new alteration, if I query it he mutters and wanders off, she splutters incoherent babble about "Our Dave thinks this, our Dave thinks that." I'm not concerned about keeping cats off because I like them, but it should be noted that the neighbours made a rod for their own backs - for it is they, not I, who have been enticing the cats by putting out breakfast for them every morning, then lunch and then supper, and playing with them every time they come. In my experience people who are imposing and bombastic often get their way, but when we who are more democratic and try to be understanding occasionally vent our opinion it is seen as "intolerant" or judgmental. What am I supposed to do? I mentioned to them that I have a Diploma in Horticulture and work as a freelance gardener but they clearly saw this as a threat, and she literally bounced off in disgust. If I say, "I want to try and create a haven for wildlife, and attract beneficial insects..." etc, they will look at me with puzzled faces for several seconds, then Anita will blurt, "As I say, our Dave reckons we should put stuff up to keep pests away." If we are serious about deterring garden pests and those who harm the planet then the animal we should be dealing with is Man. If you have any suggestions how I should deal with this problem please make them, and know that I am someone who generally bends over backwards to placate, accommodate, and avoid hassle with the neighbours. You say in your profile you're eternally optimistic, so I'm sure you can find a positive solution for me.

 

If you hang on while I plant my Delphiniums there'll be loads waiting in the wings

 

unless it is a statue of an Atzec deity I don't see that working...