For my lettuce (and spinach) bed is no more. It has been destroyed by a marauding, slimy band of slugs and cabbage worms. And some other evil looking bugs that I can't identify.
I noticed a few nibbles and thought it's ok I have plenty-- a few little blemishes won't hurt. There had been constant rainfall and I couldn't get out to look at the bed or harvest because the backyard has been a swamp. Until Monday when I saw the carnage. In my enthusiasm of over planting (thinking it will choke out the weeds) it made a perfect incubator for DOZENS of cabbage worms and even more slugs...umm EEEWWW!
I noticed a few nibbles and thought it's ok I have plenty-- a few little blemishes won't hurt. There had been constant rainfall and I couldn't get out to look at the bed or harvest because the backyard has been a swamp. Until Monday when I saw the carnage. In my enthusiasm of over planting (thinking it will choke out the weeds) it made a perfect incubator for DOZENS of cabbage worms and even more slugs...umm EEEWWW!
I am so sad! The skeletal remains of the lettuce and spinach were ripped from the raised bed. (The hubbs was helping me so no time for pictures). So I sat next to the raised bed Wednesday night for about 30 minutes after the bed was cleared and watched dozens of slugs come to the top of the soil. I picked them out and dropped them in an nearly empty beer can. So gross! There was enough beer that they drowned. But hopefully they weren't feeling any pain, haha
I already had green onions/ chives planted (which I THOUGHT was a natural deterrent) After the clean-out I sprayed everything with an insecticidal soap because my radishes look a little munched on. The carrots and chives are fine. Maybe I should plant some marigolds as an extra measure?
I planted the strawberries and so far they look happy. I think I will make this raised bed a permanent strawberry bed (assuming my strawberries survive) once I harvest the carrots and chives. I can't plant the strawberries in the lower tier because of the chives. Not good companion plants.
| 'Nati light is good for something |
I already had green onions/ chives planted (which I THOUGHT was a natural deterrent) After the clean-out I sprayed everything with an insecticidal soap because my radishes look a little munched on. The carrots and chives are fine. Maybe I should plant some marigolds as an extra measure?
I planted the strawberries and so far they look happy. I think I will make this raised bed a permanent strawberry bed (assuming my strawberries survive) once I harvest the carrots and chives. I can't plant the strawberries in the lower tier because of the chives. Not good companion plants.
I am going to reseed some planter boxes near the house with some leaf lettuce. So I can keep a much closer eye on them. Good thing lettuce grows fast!
How do you deal with with the bugs making a buffet out of your veggies? I am always looking for hints and tips--especially those organic garden tips!
