If the moths are present so are their eggs and larvae. Once the eggs hatch the larvae start eating their way through your garden.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Cabbage Moths and Larva
The cabbage moths are small white moths that look like butterflies. I used to think they were so nice to watch flying around the garden until I learned that they lay their eggs on leafy greens.
If the moths are present so are their eggs and larvae. Once the eggs hatch the larvae start eating their way through your garden.
If the moths are present so are their eggs and larvae. Once the eggs hatch the larvae start eating their way through your garden.
Tomato Hornworm..not pretty
I have noticed that some of my tomato plants have leaves eaten down to the branches. I am also seeing black fecal matter or "dirt" on the leaves.
Investigating further, I found one of these guys hanging upside down eating his way through my tomato patch. It is very hard to find these hornworms because of their color. Look in the center of this next picture and see if you can find the hornworm.
Googled the hornworm and found that he is very destructive to tomato plants and will eat pepper plants as well. I am an organic gardener and will not spray my plants so I have been hornworm hunting everyday since I found these guys...and yes I do dispose of them when found!
Be sure to keep an eye out for these guys. They can take out a plant in just a few days. Remember, if your plants look like something is eating the leaves down to the branches and you see "dirt" piles on the leaves, you probably should keep looking for the hornworm.
Happy Gardening!
Investigating further, I found one of these guys hanging upside down eating his way through my tomato patch. It is very hard to find these hornworms because of their color. Look in the center of this next picture and see if you can find the hornworm.
Googled the hornworm and found that he is very destructive to tomato plants and will eat pepper plants as well. I am an organic gardener and will not spray my plants so I have been hornworm hunting everyday since I found these guys...and yes I do dispose of them when found!
Be sure to keep an eye out for these guys. They can take out a plant in just a few days. Remember, if your plants look like something is eating the leaves down to the branches and you see "dirt" piles on the leaves, you probably should keep looking for the hornworm.
Happy Gardening!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Backyard Green Drink by Grace Lefever
I recently took a weed walk with Grace Lefever from Sonnewalds and learned of a new way to get leafy greens into my diet and all from my very own backyard. This is my rendition of her Green Drink.
Today I started with my garden greens of collards, red jagged kale, swiss chard, mint, basil, oregano, parsley, nasturtiums, anise hyssop, dill, and burnet.
After collecting from my garden I head to the edge of the woods for some wild edibles. Plantain, dandelion leaves and flower, lambs quarters, mulva leaves and flower, viola, red clover leaves and flower, white clover leaves and flower, and yellow clover leaves and flower.
Depending on the time of the season I would have more or less choices. Any leafy greens and edible flowers from the garden can be added along with seeds. When picking is slim I add my sprouts and store bought organic greens.
I add to that a half of a peeled lemon, whole apple and about one and a half cup of water. I put all in my blender and run for a minute or until smooth then pour over a glass of ice. Makes about a quart depending on how much water you add.
Really tastes light and refreshing and makes me feel that I am starting my day on a healthy note.
Here's to happy, healthy gardening,
Cheers!
After collecting from my garden I head to the edge of the woods for some wild edibles. Plantain, dandelion leaves and flower, lambs quarters, mulva leaves and flower, viola, red clover leaves and flower, white clover leaves and flower, and yellow clover leaves and flower.
Depending on the time of the season I would have more or less choices. Any leafy greens and edible flowers from the garden can be added along with seeds. When picking is slim I add my sprouts and store bought organic greens.
I add to that a half of a peeled lemon, whole apple and about one and a half cup of water. I put all in my blender and run for a minute or until smooth then pour over a glass of ice. Makes about a quart depending on how much water you add.
Really tastes light and refreshing and makes me feel that I am starting my day on a healthy note.
Here's to happy, healthy gardening,
Cheers!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Blossom End Rot....UGH!
http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/tomato-blossom-end-rot/
http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/blossendrot.html
http://www.aces.edu/dept/extcomm/specialty/ber.html
Well, after some internet research, you can see that there are a few different opinions about the cause and cure for blossom end rot!
I have decided to add a bit of lime to my soil and water throughly. Hopefully this will help any new or existing fruit from BER!
My first orange tomato of the season...fortunately does NOT have B-E-R!!
Happy Gardening!
Worm Castings
I have always wanted to farm my own worm castings but haven't gotten around to it. Surprisingly, a friend gave me a bag the other day and I am so excited to use this in my garden. In my opinion, this has to be the best compost you could have for your garden. It is just pure organic matter!
I am making a compost tea with them. Very simple to do with a clean bucket,water and 2 or 3 cups of castings. Add the castings to the bucket and then fill with water. Let it sit for a day or two. Use this "tea" for watering your garden. The plant roots will absorb the compost nutrients directly.
Happy Gardening!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Consecutive Seeding
Happy Summer! Today is the first day of summer and I am already reseeding part of a 4x8 raised bed. The heat we had a couple of weeks ago really sent my lettuce, bok choi, pepper cress and spinach to bolt. It was ok in a smoothie but too bitter for a salad. Soooo, I pulled it out and reseeded green beans, cucumbers and zucchinni.
This is my second seeding of these crops so I will be able to harvest through September. It is good to do two or more plantings so you won't have all of your veggies ripening at the same time.
I will reseed my leafy greens at the end of August for the fall harvest.
Happy Gardening!
This is my second seeding of these crops so I will be able to harvest through September. It is good to do two or more plantings so you won't have all of your veggies ripening at the same time.
I will reseed my leafy greens at the end of August for the fall harvest.
Happy Gardening!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Chilly Temperatures and Record Rainfall
So far this year we have gotten more than our fair share of rainfall coming in at 7 plus inches. The ground is so saturated that the farmers in our area are having trouble planting corn and potato crops. The daytime temperatures have fluctuated from the low 40's to the high 80's. All in all it has been a crazy spring weatherwise. With that being said, I am still moving forward with my warm weather plants while keeping a close eye on the temperatures both night and day.
Tomatoes don't like more than an inch of rain per week and temps under 50 degrees. Leafy greens, or any plant, don't like constant watering without some days of sun. This will and has rotted some of my lettuce. I have my tomato plants in the hoophouse under the cover of a plastic tarp and my leafy greens are in a hoophouse under rowcover material. This has helped with the rainfall as well as the temps.
Here's a peek inside the rowcover.
Hope you are having good luck with your garden this soggy season!
Happy Gardening!
Tomatoes don't like more than an inch of rain per week and temps under 50 degrees. Leafy greens, or any plant, don't like constant watering without some days of sun. This will and has rotted some of my lettuce. I have my tomato plants in the hoophouse under the cover of a plastic tarp and my leafy greens are in a hoophouse under rowcover material. This has helped with the rainfall as well as the temps.
Here's a peek inside the rowcover.
Hope you are having good luck with your garden this soggy season!
Happy Gardening!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Leafy Greens Harvest
Picking greens out of your own garden doesn't get any fresher or healthier! Thought I would share a salad harvest out of my garden today. Buttercrunch lettuce, kale, spring onion, oregano, spinach and pepper cress.
This is what gardening is all about...eating healthier, making a smaller carbon footprint on the earth and the shear satisfaction of reaping the rewards of your labor.
Happy Gardening!
This is what gardening is all about...eating healthier, making a smaller carbon footprint on the earth and the shear satisfaction of reaping the rewards of your labor.
Happy Gardening!
Planting Tomatoes in a HoopHouse
I hope you took advantage of the 50 cent tomato plants at Lowes over the weekend. I picked up 4 and will be planting them out today. I know it is still early for our area but with a little help from some pvc piping and a clear plastic tarp, I think they will be fine.
I am using the same 1/2 " pvc piping and brackets as in my previous post but only using three pieces since this raised bed is 4 by 4 and two for the 3 by 3. The 10 ' piece will be cut to '8 for the 4' bed and 6' for the 3' bed.
The last frost date for our area is April 28th but that doesn't mean the temperatures won't take a dip in the near future. If you are putting out your tomatoes or any warm weather crop right now make sure you watch the temperature.
Tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and annuals don't like to be out in temps under 50 degrees and peppers don't like temps under 60. Just make sure if the temp does drop that you cover your plants with plastic, newspaper or cloth.
Happy Gardening!
I am using the same 1/2 " pvc piping and brackets as in my previous post but only using three pieces since this raised bed is 4 by 4 and two for the 3 by 3. The 10 ' piece will be cut to '8 for the 4' bed and 6' for the 3' bed.
The last frost date for our area is April 28th but that doesn't mean the temperatures won't take a dip in the near future. If you are putting out your tomatoes or any warm weather crop right now make sure you watch the temperature.
Tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and annuals don't like to be out in temps under 50 degrees and peppers don't like temps under 60. Just make sure if the temp does drop that you cover your plants with plastic, newspaper or cloth.
Happy Gardening!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Happy Earth Day!
Happy Earth Day Mother Nature!!
If you think about it, we wouldn't have all things without her. So in her honor, we could all do one thing to help save these precious resources that she provides us with.Here are some examples of some little things you can incorporate into your daily lives without too much of an inconvience....
Don't let the water run while you are brushing your teeth or letting the shower run while shaving.
Turn off your car when waiting to pick up the kids at school or practice.
Purchase and use those cloth grocery bags or better yet, scour around for some canvas or plastic bags you already have.
Wash and reuse plastic bags and containers one or more times before discarding them.
Buy in bulk and make your own individual servings instead of buying them already made up. This will save on packaging going into the landfills.
Start a compost bin, you'll be saving lots of space in the land fill while making the worlds best compost.
Instead of buying mulch, shred your leaf pile to put on your flower beds. This will compost while keeping in moisture.
Use wet cardboard or newspaper to help control weeds. Both will break down and compost back into the soil.
Plant a fruit tree or a vegetable . This will cut down on the carbon footprint of food traveling from afar.
Pass on gently used clothing and domestic items. There are many places that give them away to the disadvantaged and this helps to keep them out of the landfills.
I am sure you can think of many more simple ways to help save our resources, the ideas are endless.
In honor of Earth Day and everyday remember the 3 R's...Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
Happy Earth Day!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Hummingbirds....They're Back!!
Lounging out on the patio last night, I spotted my first hummingbird of the season. It was a male and that would make sense because the males usually arrive first to scout out food and nesting sites. I put out my hummingbird feeders on tax day, just in case I have some early arrivals, even though the earliest I have seen them is around the 20th and this year was no exception.
They are very territorial and will defend their area from other males and that is just what happened. After watching the feeder for few minutes another male came in and dive bombed the first male for the feeder.
If you have hummingbirds it is best to put out two or more feeders in places where one can not see the others.
After watching for a minute I went in and filled up another feeder and put it out on the other side of the house.
You do not need to put red dye into the solution...just have red on the feeder. The sugar nectar is very easy to make and much cheaper then buying the mix.
Boil 4 parts water and then add 1 part sugar.
Cool your nectar quicker by substituting 1/2 the water with ice.
Example: I boil 2 cups water then add 1 cup sugar then add 2 cups of ice. This way you can put your nectar out right away with out having to wait for it to cool off.
Seeing my first hummingbird of the season gives me the sense that spring is truly here.
Oh what joy they bring!
Happy Bird Watching!
They are very territorial and will defend their area from other males and that is just what happened. After watching the feeder for few minutes another male came in and dive bombed the first male for the feeder.
If you have hummingbirds it is best to put out two or more feeders in places where one can not see the others.
After watching for a minute I went in and filled up another feeder and put it out on the other side of the house.
You do not need to put red dye into the solution...just have red on the feeder. The sugar nectar is very easy to make and much cheaper then buying the mix.
Boil 4 parts water and then add 1 part sugar.
Cool your nectar quicker by substituting 1/2 the water with ice.
Example: I boil 2 cups water then add 1 cup sugar then add 2 cups of ice. This way you can put your nectar out right away with out having to wait for it to cool off.
Seeing my first hummingbird of the season gives me the sense that spring is truly here.
Oh what joy they bring!
Happy Bird Watching!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Wild Turkey in the Yard
As you may know, we have two golden retrievers and they like to let me know when something is going on in our yard. Well today was no exception, and so I ran to see what all the barking was about.
When I got to the front window, the motion of a huge wild turkey caught my eye. He was definitely on display with his full strut across the yard. I didn't want to miss him but ran for my camera anyway and caught him right before he disappeared into the woods.
Last week or so I caught the hen in the backyard. Maybe they will have chicks somewhere here in the woods. That would be exciting.
I love springtime here at Crow's Nest....you never know what you may see in the yard.
Happy Gardening!
When I got to the front window, the motion of a huge wild turkey caught my eye. He was definitely on display with his full strut across the yard. I didn't want to miss him but ran for my camera anyway and caught him right before he disappeared into the woods.
Last week or so I caught the hen in the backyard. Maybe they will have chicks somewhere here in the woods. That would be exciting.
I love springtime here at Crow's Nest....you never know what you may see in the yard.
Happy Gardening!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Potatoes in a Bucket
Growing potatoes takes a bit of garden space which I don't have so I decided to try them in buckets.
I picked up a few 5 gallon buckets at a local restaurant for free and drilled some drainage holes in the bottom. Mixed up my soil with 1 part compost, 1 part peat moss, 1 part vermiculite and filled approximately 1/4 of the bucket.
I didn't buy the seed potatoes they sell at the garden center but used some of my organic potatoes that had sprouted under my counter. Potatoes you would buy at the grocery store are treated with chemicals so I don't believe they would work. If you are using potatoes you already have just make sure they are labeled organic.
Cut the potatoes into quarters with at least two sprouts or eyes on each, place them in the soil and cover them with 2-3 inches of additional soil. I put 2 pieces in each 5 gal bucket. As they grow I will add more soil until it is level with the top of the bucket.
When growing in a container you must make sure your soil doesn't dry out for long periods of time. Keep an eye on the weather and hand water as needed to keep moist. Update to follow this fall.
Happy Gardening!
I picked up a few 5 gallon buckets at a local restaurant for free and drilled some drainage holes in the bottom. Mixed up my soil with 1 part compost, 1 part peat moss, 1 part vermiculite and filled approximately 1/4 of the bucket.
I didn't buy the seed potatoes they sell at the garden center but used some of my organic potatoes that had sprouted under my counter. Potatoes you would buy at the grocery store are treated with chemicals so I don't believe they would work. If you are using potatoes you already have just make sure they are labeled organic.
Cut the potatoes into quarters with at least two sprouts or eyes on each, place them in the soil and cover them with 2-3 inches of additional soil. I put 2 pieces in each 5 gal bucket. As they grow I will add more soil until it is level with the top of the bucket.
When growing in a container you must make sure your soil doesn't dry out for long periods of time. Keep an eye on the weather and hand water as needed to keep moist. Update to follow this fall.
Happy Gardening!
What's Growing on in Your Garden?
Asparagus and
Daffodils
Forsythia
Wood Poppy
More leafy greens!
Hope you are growing what you enjoy this spring.
Happy Gardening!
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