I'm thinking that part of the problem was that this is inside in a "safe zone" for bugs... so when one got in, they spread without resistance. I was pretty amazed at how quickly the soap-based pesticides killed them... apparently the soap fucks with their body chemistry and kills them on contact. I think I found 1 alive for every 200 dead at last inspection. I'll probably give it a couple of days and then spray again.
Pro tip just use the full powered ortho stuff. Spraying tomatoes on a rigid schedule is a must. Don’t know if you get tomato/tobacco horn worms up there but that’s a spraying must around me. Be prepared to get more support on your tomatoes.
I hear what you are saying, Kubla, but I am with Nett here. Use the LEAST invasive treatment that actually works, in my experience. I never spray, I like to eat stuff right out of my garden while I am walking and picking. I do have a few potato traps out for pill bugs. I do look on the underside of my squash leaves daily for the inevitable sqush borers. There are many natural ways to get it done, though. Buy those online ladybugs, plant marigolds, whatever works in your area. Hey, everyone's gardens look great. I am enjoying this thread.
I'm already picking big fat tomato homework off the tomatoes. I use a mix of neem oil, peppermint soap, and thuracide bt in a pump up sprayer to control the bugs. Harmless to humans. Was going to start a worm tea and aspirin regimine but I am in wrap up mode now.
Fuck you. As to the pesticide I used, it was what happened to be in the shed left over from last year that I grabbed at 8pm when I noticed them. It was the "Safer's" brand soap-based stuff for like $7, which probably meant I could have made my own to some degree. I plan on getting ready for an infestation and stocking up this weekend on a bunch of stuff that I may need.
The squash is not enjoying the heat, but I have a lot of little squash making, so I think that I am watering enough not too much.
A look from the east side. Green beans heading up the fence, okra in the first real row, into many tomato cages.
They are on the plants if it makes you feel any better. No fruit, just tiny blossoms now. I use that Dr Bronner peppermint pure castile soap, supposedly the peppermint oil is an added factor that the insects hate.
Oh I know. I had not been able to garden for a few years....I may have been overzealous. It's about 800 square feet. I apparently really needed to sweat in the sunshine, get my hands dirty.
I’ve got English Ivy that will not die. I’ve used Roundup Ground Clear on it 4 days straight with little damage to the plant. My parents who are biochemical engineers for Monsanto are dumbfounded. Any ideas? I’m about to get a torch and burn the shit but am concerned over collateral damage.
Never heard that with with ivy... I've got trumpet vines that you basically have to dig down to the roots and then smother... topical sprays make it laugh and have zero effect. I'll never get rid of the trumpet vine... I can only try and contain it every year with vigorous pruning.
My dad said to add soap to the Roundup to better adhere to the leaves. If that doesn’t work, I suppose these flamethrowers used for weed control might work...
That and cut some of it and immediately treat with roundup. The leaves are waxy and the Roundup is just rolling off of it.
Dig it down to the roots and hit the roots and surrounding area with a propane torch. Do it once and do it right.
Aside from the other suggestions, you can cut it off, drill into the woody part of the 'trunk' and pour some 'Stump Out' from Bonide in there.
It is incredibly hard to get any kind of "real" herbicide or pesticide here in Ontario... you need a Class 4 license from the Ministry of the Environment for just about anything that actually works.
The soap suggestion should go for all types of spraying, unless specified by the spray you are using. I got a gallon of professional grade surfacicant *sp from tractor supply for like 20$ and it’ll last me years. Mixed it with thuricide and daconil last year to help get better coverage that helps retain it longer on the plant.
Well, today was a minor victory that I will claim. Last year I built this herb garden with store bought herbs. This year, for the first time ever, I grew everything from seeds; jalapeno peppers, cat nip, thyme, cilantro (that is wilting a bit but I hope will come back soon), AMAZING smelling basil, sage, oregano, and along the bottom a bunch of other pepper plants that were a bit late to the party. They're now all transplanted outside and the automatic irrigation is all set up. I'm pretty happy with how it all turned out. In other news, the tomatoes I transplanted last week from indoors to the big wicking bed are doing amazingly well... growing noticeably, with zero casualties. I've also transplanted beets and cucumbers to the new bed, with plans to finish the migration tomorrow.