About a week ago I got all the seed in our garden plot. Paul said it was too rocky, and that nothing would grow, and that it was MY garden (isn't it funny how once he decided nothing would grow, it became MY garden instead of ours?) Against all odds, WE have a few things popping tender heads out. And now I'm worried, because we have these guys all over the place:
I just know they're going to go eat OUR garden (assuming stuff continues to grow). So my green thumbed friends, what should I do? I don't like the idea of chemical sprays, but if there is no other option I'm willing. Any advice you have is welcome!
Here's what WE'VE got coming up (for now):
Beans - they have all sprouted and seem to be doing well-
Beets - one of my favorites (you can see how rocky it is!) Not sure if things below the earth like beets will survive the rockiness, but it'll be interesting to find out -
Rhubarb. Funny story on the rhubarb. I used to have loads of rhubarb every summer. Until Paul ran over it with the lawn mower. Then no more rhubarb. I tried to plant more, but it didn't take. Well, this year it took!
Squash or zucchini - I was too lazy to check my map to see which -
Dill -
WE are still waiting to see if green peppers, turnips, eggplant, tomatoes, and tomatillos will grow. Oh, and one lone seed potato that we found under the fridge (lol).
In other news, Buddha hen got her bath and then a week later went right into brooding!
We're letting her sit out some eggs, and hopefully we'll have some little peeps in about 3 weeks:
This post is linked up with Farm Friend Friday at Verde Farm.
A potato plant under a fridge? I have friends that through pumpkin seeds into their backyard and have pumpkins growing all over the yard.
ReplyDeleteplant some marigolds around the garden, sevin dust will also work ..
ReplyDeleteSevin dust. You can also spray with dawn dishwashing soap, but it comes off when it rains. Miracle grow, miracle grow, miracle grow.
ReplyDeleteI'm dropping off seed this morning on my way to the Y...Marigold. Scratch up the soil around your garden bed (as long as there's no chance of frost as they are annuals). Sevin is a good choice. One year caterpillars destroyed the Pres' pickling cukes!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteYou can always just pick them off by hand -- maybe the chickens will eat them? Or use an organic spray. Good luck -- not sure what they are.
ReplyDeletei'm no help on the garden stuff, but that sweet hen is adorable!!!
ReplyDeleteCaterpillars should be easy to knock out with any variety of sprays. For non-toxic, I suggest you look online at Gardens Alive to see what they use. You may be able to buy it locally. There was a soap type spray that I think works for them ,but you need to double check. We are concerned about those dang stink bugs. With 4-5 acres of veggies, they could put a hurting on our business!
ReplyDeleteI tired to plant a nice garden last spring with my daycare kids. I figured it would be a good learning project. I was so wrong. I am not much for weeding but we got taken over by weeds! LIke the day after I planted the seeds with the kids! It was crazy. I think I need to invest in a roadatiller thingy and work the area up first or something. Would love to have the fresh veggies.
ReplyDeleteWhat Angel & Cat said... Seven dust is great stuff!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the chick updates, we have another broody hen so maybe more chicks for us too :D
We never use chemicals since one of our biggest garden pests has four legs, brown and white fur, and a particular taste for strawberries:)
ReplyDeleteI found this article:
http://www.sptimes.com/News/042801/Homeandgarden/The_best_caterpillar_.shtml
We also put out bird seed to attract birds, and they help by eating bugs too.
Good luck:)
Those critters look a lot like our tent caterpillars. If so, they will eat everything green. Sevin dust is one way. The other is to hand pick them. Looking at the soil, some well composted horse manure would sure help the clumps.
ReplyDeleteI use diatomaceous earth and have had pretty good results. That and just picking and squishing them..ew.
ReplyDeleteI'm no help either, but it looks like others know their stuff. Good luck with your garden. Never mind hubby, they are all the same!--Inger
ReplyDeleteI have no idea! Just wanted to comment and say I'm impressed by your garden. :)
ReplyDeleteThe ground looks so rocky and bad, I'm surprised you got anything to grow there, you must have a green thumb. that does look like a tent ctaerpillar. there are several ways to get rid of them. Go to this link to read about it. If the link doesn't work, go to Google and type in "getting rid of tent caterpillars"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ehow.com/how_2313729_rid-tent-caterpillars.html
Oh how I envy people their fresh produce, but I can't grow...anything. I blame the Texas bugs. Every time I tried we'd get a swarm of something and every thing would be gone. I was mildly successful with roses for a while though. :)
ReplyDeleteYou make me want to come and visit you on the farm! Not that I would be any help or anything. Oh no, I'd be on vacation, but I'd certainly sit and chat away while you took care of things that needed taking care of.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I don't know - but good luck to you! sandie
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks great rocks and all! You are way ahead of us with our garden. We just got ours plowed. It's been raining too much that we just can't seem to get anything done around here.
ReplyDeleteLove your hen! She's beautiful! Can't wait to see her babies! How many eggs is she sitting on?
Have a Great Day!
Angela
Give the kids long sticks and let them poke open the caterpillars' tents. Have them knock caterpillars into jars of soapy water and pay them a penny for each caterpillar they get.
ReplyDeleteI'm not recognizing that particular caterpillar, but not all of them will eat your fruits and vegetables. Some will only eat the leaves and leave your food alone, then become beautiful butterflies. If you only have a few, you can control it by hand picking. I would take one to the local "real" garden store and ask them what kind it is. They can tell you what they eat and don't eat, and recommend an organic way to get rid of them if that's necessary.
ReplyDeleteAre those tent caterpillars? We get those--you have to destroy their nests if that's what they are. They make these huge white webs in branches, cut off the branch and burn it in a fire. No ideas on how to get rid of them once they hatch out--they are awful buggers. We had tons of their nest on our property last spring--I must have cut down over 20 of them.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with "YOUR" garden!
I usually try to garden organic and I usually can do it.. But in extreme situation if there is no other way I will use Sevins Dust. My granny always used that very sparingly and she lived to be very old. I would stay away from as much chemical use as you can. Wait and see if they go after your plants.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing you can do now, is save your egg shells from eggs you use and crush them. Sprinkle those around the base of your plants. They are sharp to things that crawl! Like slugs, and your friend in the picture there. They don't like to crawl over them! Plus they are good for your soil.
Good bug advice from your readers - I'll be referring back! As for the soil, do you compost your horse and chicken manure? You can probably build up the soil enough to have a garden area there, but it may take some time. Healthy soil also helps with pests.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have a garden but the freakin' rabbits here eat everything! If you fence it then the birds get to it. Green food is precious for desert animals so it is very hard to keep them out of it.
ReplyDelete