HumToTable
North, south and west views of the garden. Mostly happy with how things are coming along. A few failed experiments and my annual "Aphid Apocalypse" of course, but otherwise chugging along. Wierd year for the garlic too. Just goes to show that when you think you've got gardening dialed in, nature and the plants say, "Challenge accepted." Then there's something new to learn!
#gardening #garden #vegetablegardening
Jul 5, 2024 at 3:04pmWeb
Show threadHumToTableJul 5, 2024
The aforementioned "Aphid Apocalypse" on Brussel Sprouts and this isn't even the worst of it. I may have to spring for floating row covers next year. For now I will continue my manual squishing, hosing off, insecticidal soap method. With winters warming up, the aphids get worse every year. I don't want to give up on brassicas because, other than aphids, they do so well around here.
#garden #gardening
#gardenpests
Show threadMsMeropeJul 5, 2024
@HumToTable
get some lady bugs?
at the old place I had mantids every year at least one would hang out in the garden all summer.
Show threadMsMeropeJul 5, 2024
@HumToTable lol just don't release lady bugs near mantids... they will eat them!
Show threadHumToTableJul 5, 2024
@MsMerope Ah, the delicate balance of nature. 😄 The one time I bought ladybugs from the hardware store, I released them and watch them fly away Free Willy style far from my garden and on to parts unknown. Never saw a one after that. Hopefully my neighbors got the benefit.
Show threadMsMeropeJul 5, 2024

@HumToTable yes, many of them do skedaddle, I usually got the best results when I sprayed foliage before releasing them.

I guess they get thirsty in those little containers. 🤷‍♀️

Show threadHumToTableJul 5, 2024
@MsMerope Ah! That makes sense.
Show thread𝕭𝖆𝖉 𝕽𝖔𝖇, 𝕭𝖊𝖘𝖙 𝕽𝖔𝖇Jul 5, 2024
@HumToTable
I dont think they're considered invasive where you are but nasturtiums are excellent at drawing aphids away from anything here. And they barely seem to be affected by the infestation too
Show threadHumToTableJul 5, 2024
@RobCubbon Hmmmm. They're a bit invasive here. But now you've got me thinking strategy.
Show threadAndrew DrakeJul 5, 2024

@HumToTable @RobCubbon if you find something effective, I'd love to hear about it!

Those are cabbage aphids and in my experience they exclusively prey on brassicas, to the point that they will completely encrust a broccoli plant but I won't see a single individual on a non-brassica right next to it. I'd guess they'd ignore nasturtiums but I haven't tried it.

We have a decent population of ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies, and they keep "normal" aphids pretty well in check, but I've never seen them (or anything else) preying on cabbage aphids. (Or black onion aphids, which we also get on garlic.)

I tried row covers last year and while it kept the aphids away, I learned we had some insects that live in the soil that eat holes in leaves. I guess some predator was keeping them in check before the row cover excluded them.

So far my most effective strategy has been to grow kohlrabi, since the aphids only infest the leaves, but the part you eat is the stem!

Show threadHumToTableJul 5, 2024
@adrake @RobCubbon Interesting! A decoy like nasturtium. I thought about growing kohlrabi just because it looks so cool. I will 100% try this next year along with the row covers. I've concluded that aphid control requires a multi-pronged approach not the least of which includes lots of swearing.