This is my update for June 23, 2009. The big story this week is having to fight Japanese Beetles. I got back from my business trip and for two straight days fought these little destructive creatures. They nearly wiped out my Grapes and also had started in on my Raspberries, Peppers, Basel and Beans. I had to spray the entire garden with pesticide just to kill the ones that were feeding on everything. I also put out two traps to collect as many of the others as I could. So far it has worked. I have collected thousands of beetles in these traps and the pesticide has kept them away from the garden for the time being. Other than that, the garden has done quite nicely while I was gone. We have had a ton of rain so the Squash and Cucumber leaves were turning a little yellow. I propped the containers up on bricks so that they would drain better and it has fixed that problem. Also, I found that watering the Cucumbers at night is better. I was watering them in the morning and most of it evaporated and when the leaves got wet, in the heat of the day it would turn the leaves white around the edges. Watering them at night has stopped that problem and they seem to like it. This week it will be in the mid to high 90s so there should be a lot of growth by next week to update you on. The main thing is keeping those freaking beetles away from everything. If anyone has any additional ideas on ways to get rid of them, I am all ears. I hope you like the video this week and I will update you …
Sorry about the beetles. Other than that things look like they are rocking. That watermelon plant should continue to go crazy. Once mine started to spill outside the bucket it really took off.
Also those sweet 100’s should give you a ton of tomatoes. Mine has lots and lots. No red ones yet, but tons of green ones on the plant.
your garden is so cool i, wish we had your heat here in dublin ,love your videos bail o dhia ort agus slan leat ,its irish and it means the blessing of god on you and goodbye for now
Thanks for your comments. Yeah, we have plenty of heat here. It has been in the mid to high 90’s all week and I fully expect it to hit 100 by the weekend. Right now however we are getting a nice thunder shower and it has cooled things off a lot. The good news is that I don’t have to water tonight. By the way your videos are great! Especially the one on the pinapple. I don’t think I have enough patience to grow one of them though. Take care…..
Looks like things are growing very well. Your banana pepper that is growing up into the bottom of your bucket….you might be able to hang something with a little weight (not too much weight..don’t want to damage the plant) from a rubber band and wrap the rubber band around the stalk for a couple of days to “persuade” the plant to grow out. Once outside the perimeter of the bucket, remove the weight and rubber band and it should shoot up towards the sun…just a suggestion.
Thank you. I will try that first thing in the morning. I will let you know how it goes.
Great progress! I feel your pain on those beetles, I lost about 7 baby pepper plants I had outside growing in containers for next year….went outside yesterday, poof! they were gone and the culprit (a catepillar) was still chewing away on one…lets just say he didnt have a good day, lol. Anyway no suggestions for the beetles, as luckily I havent had to deal with them…good luck though! Love watching your vids, so keep em coming
Sorry to hear about your pepper plants. Thanks for your comments. I am on my way back out to fight those stinking beetles again. I hope that I have it under control now.
The sweet 100’s are taking off I hope to get a ton of tomatoes out of that plant. I actually got my first red tomato today. I should post an update in the next few days or so. I hope your garden is still going well. Talk to you again soon. Thanks for your comments.
The following bait and trap method is to be used during the height of the Japanese Beetle season.
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1 mashed banana
1 pkg yeast
Dissolve sugar and yeast in the water. Mix the well maxhed banana into the sugar water. Put all ingredients in a gallon milk jug. Place the jug (with the top off) in an area where Japanese Beetles gather. The fermentation and odor of the bait attracts the beetles which get in but not out.
To control grubs and adult Japanese beetles use Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth (Farm Fleet). It works by destroying the exoskeleton of pests. Its like tiny shards of broken glass that will kill them as they come in contact. Its non-toxic, it’s safe if ingested by warm-blooded creatures. It can be sprinkled on plants and on the soil. Its best to use a garden duster, taking care not to inhale the dust.
Other natural products: Milky Spore, Nocdown. Diatomaceous wil kill good bugs also.
the squash do get bigger!
Sorry ’bout the beetles…..but those orange pots are pretty cool.
cut the base of the beetles
Nice,nice,nice I like this garden…!