What a bore the last week has been! I had been on the look out for these
squash bugs that folks had discussed earlier, but didn't see any. Earlier
this week a few of my plants started looking really droopy so I investigated
and found frass near the base of the plants... Two plants are totally dead
and gone--removed from the garden. Two more aren't looking so good.
Anyway, I did some research online and found this great article about
organic control of squash bugs and vine borers (they're different but
control methods are similar). http://bit.ly/ju4fUH It isn't NC-specific, but
the one article I found from NC extension basically said to put some poison
on it. It's not promising that this will lead to some half-dead plans
surviving, but I may try cutting into the stem of one to kill the borer...a
last resort.
Thought I'd share some things I learned about squash pests that may be
helpful:
1) You probably will have them--either the bugs or the borers so start your
system of control now for next year (see link above). I thought I was
immune--big mistake! Also I learned the bugs can fly up to 1/2 mile so with
all us gardeners around here, they'll be back!
2) They come out sometime in early May to Mid-June, so be on the look out
right about then... And by "look out" I mean not just the bugs on the
leaves, but the borers in the stems too! I found a Minnesota-based website
that said late June, but I'd back that up earlier for us. Anyone have more
info on the timing?
3) The bugs and borers usually have one life cycle, but perhaps two in some
southern climates. So, possibly, you can replant your squash in July and
they'll be safe for the season...or maybe not... Any advice?
4) Plant resistant varieties that were listed in a post earlier this year on
this forum.
At least I got two giant marrows out of the dead plants before they were
taken down by the bores. This was of much interest to my fiance who is an
Agatha Christie fan. Apparently Agatha writes about a Belgian man who
retires to grow marrow and there is much discussion among her fan base about
exactly what a marrow is. We ate one for lunch on Wednesday. Delicious!
Bored on Penn Rd,
Jennifer
For the past several years, I have been overwintering a few hot peppers
plants indoors. (They are productive for several years in their native
range.) I either grow one or two in pots all summer or dig out choice
plants from the garden and pot them for the winter. Replanting them in
the ground in July gives you a jump on fruit production because not as
much energy has to go to vegetative growth, and a larger plant produced
more pods.
I've been most successful with Fatalii and Tobasco peppers. I've never
been lucky with habanero for some reason.
I got tons of crazy peppers ready for pickling, hot sauce, and drying
for flakes/powder.
I encourage you to try this if you are a pepper head. Yesterday I dug
up the plants I'll overwinter because of the fear of the coming frost.
Today is a great day to do it too! Remember to water liberally if you
are digging out a plant and re-potting it. Especially if your trimming
roots or replanting after removing all soil, as this reduces overall
root-soil contact. A little dash of fertilizer in the pot is also a
good idea.
Cheers.
-Damian
219 Lafayette Rd.
FYI.
Mark
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [Historic Oakwood] - Gardening Table - Free
Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2012 11:11:34 -0500
From: Ethan W Barger <ethanb(a)us.ibm.com>
To: historicoakwood@yahoogroups com <historicoakwood(a)yahoogroups.com>
Gardening Enthusiast or Anyone interested in getting an ~ 8' x 3/12'
gardening table, it has been placed on the street at 408 Elm Street. Free
for the taking, bring a truck or a strong friend. No need to respond, all
you need to do is show up and take the table.
Enjoy!
Ethan Barger
408 Elm St
