in general. What good are all the wise ole sayings if we forget to use them when we need them most? But to also allow for the needed time for grief to express and release itself, for that too is a part of the natural process.
WILL PLANTING SQUASH NOW FOIL THE BORERS?For several years, we had decent harvests of squash. Then came a year when the squash vine borers (SVB’s), along with the squash bugs, and powdery mildew destroyed 90% of our crop. That was the year before last.
Last year, we only grew a
delicious Red Kuri winter squash. Even though pickle worms took out a few, we still did OK and hardly saw a SVB or squash bug. We managed the pickle worms with Surround WP (Kaolin clay) and
BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) sprays.
This year, we’re just now (mid July) setting out squash transplants: spaghetti squash, Red Kuri, and a few zucchini. We’re figuring the SVB’s and squash bugs have died of starvation or moved on by now. Fingers crossed!
That’s our theory and we’re trying it out. Also, we’re
growing the vines up a trellis, and that should help. Many of you have discovered the joys and practicality of going vertical. About anything that vines or spreads in our garden is on some sort of upright support.
Let us know if you’ve found this to help, (or any other tips that have worked for you). Questions are also welcome, and if we don't know it, it will give us a chance to learn about it!
IT’S PLANTING TIME FOR FALLWe’re beginning to seed in flats for the fall crops. This being the first full year having a greenhouse, we’re using the protected (now shaded) space to start our seedlings. We’re growing kale, full heart endive, chard, and radicchio-all of our favorites that did so well last year.
We’ve got several write-ups on the subject of fall planting and
what to be planting now for fall and winter harvests.
ARTICLES FROM THE WEEKSlim pickings of articles to harvest this week... more next week. Let us know if you're interested in anything particular and we'll do our best to serve it up!
