They are coming at night for
your plants!!
Don’t panic! It’s ok. Ok, now that everyone is calm
let’s talk bugs. I must admit it is one of my least favorite things to talk
about but as gardeners it is a reality we must face. There will be bugs in our
garden. However, it must be said that some varieties of bugs are good for our
gardens and are welcomed.
Some good
bugs: wasps, ground beetles, dragonflies. Attract the good ones by plants a
variety of flowers and herbs in the garden. If every plots has some flowers,
everyone will benefit!
So, how to manage these pesky little invaders? The
first and best defense against them is to grow healthy plants. The stronger
your plant the better is to defend itself against any trouble a bug may bring
on. In fact in some cases, when we see signs of pest damage the best thing to
do is, well, nothing. In nature, there’s always been some insect damage; that’s
the way it has been forever, and plants are designed to cope. The good news is
that since most of us are growing many varieties of vegetables and flowers in
our plots. This mixing up of the plants attractive odors will make it harder
for pests to find their favorite food. But, in reality there may be issues to watch
for. Now is the time to not just water your garden but care for your plants.
Look at them closely. Are there signs of damage? Do they look weak?
Bad bugs to watch for:
· leaf miner: spinach, beets,
chard, etc. Leaves turn brown.
·cabbage worm / moth: cabbage
families ( broccoli, cauliflower,etc). Cover plants so eggs can't be laid. Pick
off worms and put into a container with soap and water.
 |
| Cabbage worm/moth |
 |
| Cabbage worm |
·squash bug: squash, zucchini,
etc. remove adults(spraying with a mixture of water and a bit of dawn soap will
kill the adults), crush eggs on underside of leaves
 |
Adult squash bug and eggs
|
·ants and aphids: usually won't
destroy a plant
Key is identification of the bug. Then you can find
out if it is a big problem or not, and the best way to combat it (“The
Vegetable Gardener’s Bible” by Edward C. Smith is a great tool for identifying
pest and how to control them). Often
mechanical means (picking off adult bugs, destroying eggs on underside of
leaves) are very effective. Removing affected plants or leaves can also help
(removing leaves may open the plant to attack from earwigs). Remember, NO
PESTICIDES allowed.
