Sunday, November 16, 2008

Nature corner

I've been growing peppers on the living room window again this year. I've had a couple off the Chocolate Bell plant this summer, which have been quite nice (they're a deep brown sweet pepper). The odd thing is that there's one fruit left and it's staying bright red with not a hint of brown. I can only think that the autumn sunlight's not intense enough to complete the transformation.

Peppers are good plants for the windowsill but they don't half attract aphids. And, being grown for food, I'm loathe to spray them with anything stronger than washing-up liquid. It comes as quite a relief that the leaves are dying back now. The pepper will overwinter perfectly well as a set of green sticks. And I can have a few months without having to constantly wipe the honeydew from that bit of the sofa. The spiders have been a bit remiss on this score. I think I'll import some tame ladybirds next year.

Coming home each night this past fortnight I've found a woodlouse waiting at the same place on the porch. I check on my way out: it isn't there. On arrival back, there it is. I'm not sure what to make of it. Is it waiting for me faithfully, elated at my return? Or is it acting as lookout for some troupe of arthropod scallywags ("cavie boys! he's back!"). In either case it's not especially demonstrative. Not so much as a grunt, so I can't say that it's adolescent growing pains.

hazel leaves by streetlightFinally, a picture from my own garden. I was taken by the effect of the street light through the leaves on the hazel bush in the front garden and thought I'd have a go at capturing it.

Almost did it (hand-held one second exposure at f5.6 for those who need to know it).

8 comments:

Tess Kincaid said...

I love peppers and used to grow them in my vegetable garden. I haven't planted the last few years and have really missed them. Never thought about growing them in the window sill, though. Great idea!

Ms Scarlet said...

Ah, who wants to be brown when you can be Scarlet...
Sx

Kevin Musgrove said...

Willow: given the English climate this is the only way of growing chili peppers without a greenhouse. Wish I had a south-facing kitchen window.

Scarlet: not everyone was born to be bold.

Ms Scarlet said...

Well, bits of me are a bit blue at the moment, but I'm sure I will be fine tomorrow.
Sx

Mrs Pouncer said...

Jesus, Scarlet, you're slacking. Kev's last para: "a hand-held exposure" or summat, and you've no ready entendre (double or single) to fling back at him? Whassup?

Ms Scarlet said...

Oh yeah... sorry Mrs P... and he was capturing an exposed bush... silly me!

You see I'm not fully trained yet...
Sx

Gadjo Dilo said...

I also grew sweet peppers on my windowsill this year, Kev. Trouble is they weren't very sweet. But then we pickled them and they turned into hot peppers, which I find strange.

Kevin Musgrove said...

Scarlet: Only the double-entendres!

Ira: Thanks. I've seen Sapindus bushes in one of our local plant nurseries. I hadn't realised it might be useful.

Mrs. P.: don't encourage her!

gd: Interesting. I'll have to give that a go.