Episode 10 - Dark Days at Downsanup Downs

You've heard the saying that problems come in threes. Well that's what seems to be happening here at Downsanup Downs. First it was the red-legged earthmites, then the worry over Chelsea's roots and now Sir Reginald Radish is giving us all a headache.

I've just visited one stressed out Wally Wheat. He's locked into a huge battle for territory with those dreadful weeds, Reggie Radish and his mates. Last year they had a real field day. They grew great and made lots of seed. Then once the season broke, lots of them came up. Now they're hogging the water and nutrients in the soil and the sunlight too. Poor Wally is looking very pale. If he doesn't get help soon, he might not make it.

"Wally, I'm going for help!" I said trying to sound more confident than I felt. Dealing with tough customers like Reggie is not so easy.

I sought help from everyone I could think of. And everyone had their own ideas. "Managing the seed bank is the key" said Freddy Faba, who'd read a lot about the subject.

"You have to do something to reduce the number of weed seeds stored in the soil" agreed Chelsea Chickpea.

"Hey, have you noticed there aren't so many weeds in that paddock where Julie Jones and I tickled the soil before seeding?" said Spike Medic. "I told you that we doing something useful - not just hooning around on the tractor having fun."

Albert Annelid said he'd noticed lots of Reginald Radish's gang germinating after Spike and Julie had been through the paddock. "And when the ground was prepared for seeding, the Jones killed them off. There's a lot less of the blighters underground now. Should give the crops more of a chance," he concluded.

"Look everyone, all this is very interesting" I replied. "But how do we help Wally Wheat now? The weeds are CHOKING him."

"Listen!" said Chelsea "Isn't that the sound of a boom-spray? I'm sure the Jones can help get rid of some of Reggie's gang with their herbicide."

"Cough, cough, aarrggh" came the sound of dying radish from Wally's paddock. "I'll be okay now, Billie!" called Wally. "This spray won't hurt me! It kills radish, but not wheat. YAY!"

Will Wally recover from his ordeal enough for Jason to go to Japan? Now that's another story...