Harvest Totals July 28th

August is going to be very busy for us so I wanted to make sure to post an update on the garden before things become hectic!  Although this has been a very cool and wet summer we have still had success in the garden.  Some plants have struggled (tomatoes, cucumbers and onions) but overall things have gone well.   

 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.  Proverbs 12:14 

Below are some harvest totals up to this point: 

Flowers in full bloom

I have loved looking out at the flowers which border either side of the garden gate.  This year I tried new types of Sunflowers and Zinnias and I love picking some of the flowers to bring indoors in arrangements. The textures and colors "pop" when they are up close and inside.

This year I have had the same pests and issues as last year (sad to say).  However, I haven't been able to get out into the garden everyday to try and prevent problems so I am half to blame.  I also discovered that the Asparagus Beetles overwintered in the soil so I couldn't have prevented them from coming back.  Cucumber Beetles have wilted the vines on the Cucumbers again and I find them to be very challenging pests to eliminate.

Ladybug (a beneficial insect!)

The Squash Vine Borer (SVB) has attacked again this year. So far I have noticed that only 1 Zucchini plant has been affected.  I noticed a sawdust like substance which is called "frass" around the base of the stem.  At that point the plant is infested with the larva and they are eating the inside of the stem.  I pulled up the plant and split the stem to find the pests munching away!  Then it was time to throw the plant and pests in the trash. 

Squash Vine Borer Larva

Despite the pests this year has still been a wonderful year in the garden.  There are 3 more Zucchini plants that are producing!  The Summer Squash are also happy and so far we have picked 3 colanders full of green beans.  There are 9 Tomato plants in BED #2 that have lots of green tomatoes!  We have been harvesting the red tomatoes on the deck and okra.  The harvesting is far from over.

I have especially loved the Sunflowers this year and so have the yellow finches!  The one below almost appears to be artificial but its real!

Unveiling the Raised Beds

I found the first bloom of the season on a Zucchini plant.  That meant it was time to remove the row covers.  Unless I have time to hand pollinate them (which I don't) the bees need to be able to get to the plants for pollination.  At this point the plants are healthy and mature enough to handle most of the pests that will come along.  So let the unveiling begin!

All four beds in a row.  Plants are happy and healthy!

Flowers are growing fast in the 2 front beneficial garden beds. Blooms to come soon!

BED #1- Parsley, Asparagus & Summer Squash

I have kept the row cover on the Asparagus bed because they don't need to be pollinated.  Its also challenging to hand pick all the Asparagus Beetles that land on these plants.  Unfortunately I discovered that the Asparagus Beetles overwinter in the soil so I am already battling them. I have to admit I am disappointed that this has happened again this year.  I have tried dusting them with bone meal as well as spraying them with a homemade garlic spray.  I still find about 10-15 per day on the plants.

Asparagus Beetle on Asparagus plant

BED #2- Zucchini, Lettuce, Onions, Tomatoes, Okra & Cucumbers

July 24th Update

If we can acknowledge that what we see in the world is not all there is, we are strengthening our eyes of faith.  We can live clinging to the good even when it feels like our fingers are getting rope burn.  Whatever we do we can't let go of the truth.  In the dungeon, the way out isn't found by lowering our expectations.  The way out is through letting the keys open the doors to free our hearts and allowing them to soar upward, toward the goodness they were created to hold.  

Plow straight ahead through the middle, no matter how uncomfortable it gets.  Stay down from the castles in the air.  Stay above the dungeons in the dark.  And don't forget- you have been recognized.
~Excerpts taken from the book:
Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of A Women's Soul by John & Stasi Eldredge

 Everyone has times in their life when things seem to crumble around them.  For me it was the year that my grandfather passed away.  It was some time ago, however may other things at that time in my life were challenging.  Truthfully I found it to be too much to bear (alone that is).  I pressed into my time with God and remember that it was so hard to feel him with me.  At that time I was reading the book "Captivating" and found the quote listed above.  It gave me hope and began to sooth my soul.   I remember writing the quote on lined paper and hung it on my bathroom mirror so that I could read it each morning.  Along with my friends and family encouraging me and my quiet time I slowly started to see my heart heal and my soul feel restored.  

Circumstances are very different now, but life still brings challenges.  Some are not so obvious to those who don't know us well, but that doesn't lessen the difficulty.  Situations may be in a different form, but they can still bring feelings of "rope burn".   This past month I reflected on that time years ago and could still remember some of the lines of this quote.   Then a couple of weeks ago while cleaning the basement I came across a box with that same lined paper and my handwriting.  What a God thing.  I have placed it over my sink looking out the window to the garden.  I read it every morning as a reminder "to plow straight ahead" and to remember "I have been recognized" and I matter to my heavenly Father. 

June 20th Update

I have been checking on the garden in the morning and again in the evening.  This is the time of year that the Squash Vine Borer attack so I am watching closely.  We had to remove our row covers because the plants were outgrowing them (and some plants need to be pollinated by bees).  We had no idea that everything would get so big so fast.  We did make a taller row cover for BED #2 (which you can see below in the picture).  This is an experiment so we will see if it works.   

For reference BED #1 (Asparagus) starts on the left.

Evidence that my little helper has been digging in the dirt!

Zinnias are just starting to bloom!

Tomato plants on deck.

BED# 1- (pictured below) Asparagus, Parsley, Tomatoes (just planted) & Basil (just planted).

Baby Tomato plants & Basil plants (just planted after removing Peas)

Asparagus are very happy.  Next year we can start harvesting them.  
For the first year we just let them fern out.

My amazing Asparagus Beetle catcher!

Each day I check for Asparagus Beetles and I find them on the plants!  I use the glass jar pictured above and I have it filled with water and some liquid dish soap.  I find the beetle put the jar under it and knock it in.  This is much easier than trying to get them with your fingers. 

BED# 2- (pictured below) Cauliflower, Broccoli, Corn, Pole Beans & Winter Squash.

Help the Cauliflower & Broccoli are falling out of the beds!

 

Our first sign of Broccoli!

I made a mistake by planting the Winter Squash plants that I had already started indoors with the corn and beans.  We were trying to do the 3 Sisters Iroquois tradition but I wasn't patient and planted the Squash before the corn and beans.  I had to add cages to the Squash so it wouldn't take over.  This will be interesting!

More detail of Squash, Corn & Beans

 CENTER OF GARDEN- (pictured below) Two Watermelon plants.  This is our first year to try them.

Growing in ground between BED #2 & #3

BED# 3- (pictured below) Onions, Carrots, Bush Beans & Summer Squash.

This bed is out of control!
(Next year we need to pick some of the Onions earlier so they don't overtake the Carrots)

Onion blooming??

(3) Summer Squash in back of BED #3

 BED# 4- (pictured below) Bush Zucchini, Peppers, Eggplant & Cucumbers.

 

Female bloom on Zucchini

The Zucchini are happy!

Squash Vine Borer

Last year we were saddened when several of our plants were attacked by the squash vine borer.  I discovered the pest after running inside to my computer to find out why our zucchini plant had looked perfect the day before and completely wilted the next!  

Sad wilted Zucchini plant

The pest: Squash Vine Borer

The problem: Last year it attacked our (3) Summer Squash and (2) Zucchini plants! 

Squash Vine Borer- Ohio State University Fact Sheet

Adult Moth (Squash Vine Borer)

I quickly discovered that the red and black bugs that were swarming around me sometime around June were the beginning of the end for my plants (If only I had known then the damage they would do!) 

Dull red colored Eggs  of the Squash Vine Borer

It was now July and when I split open the bottom of the stem of my wilted plant sure enough I found a white larva munching away.  The truth was that these moths had laid their eggs on my plants back in June and they had turned into larva that climbed into the stem and had been eating away at the plants for more than a month!  It was a very disappointing day indeed because we realized our other zucchini plant and 3 other summer squash were just days away from the same sad end.

Larva (Squash Vine Borer) eating the inside of stem

Hopefully I can save you some loss in your garden with some of this preventative information!



The life cycle:  Egg, Larva, Earthen Cell, Pupa, Adult (male or female)

From what I have read the larvae feed on the plant for 1 month and then when fully mature they come out of the stem and make a cocoon in the soil.  Then they stay in the soil over winter and become a pupa the next spring.  The pupa then turns into the adult moth which lays eggs on the new plants turning into larva then the pupa and the cycle continues the next year.  (Usually there is only 1 generation per year in Ohio.  A partial second generation is possible but has not been documented).

b. Moth (or adult) c.part of squash stem cut open to show larva feeding within d.pupal cell in soil cut open to show pupa inside e.typical wilting of squash plant caused by borer feeding inside stem

 To be safe: We got rid of all of the infected plants last year as soon as we discovered the larva in the stems. (A very important step to make).  Hopefully that means we took care of the problem, but I can't be certain.  As you read above its possible that the larvae could have made cocoons in the soil and become pupa (in which case things could get interesting)....the next couple of weeks the truth will be revealed.  In Ohio the pupae turn into adult moths when vine crops start growing which is usually towards the end of June.

Squash Vine Borer damage

 The (possible) solution(s): Around the end of July or mid August I will be able to let you know if any of these possible solutions worked in our garden.  I decided to combine all of the methods listed below to attempt to stop the attacks.  This may seem a little overboard, but from the information I have read it seems that you have the most success if you employee back-up measures and just plan on the borer attacking again.  Especially if you have had damage in the past (we have) which places your garden at a higher risk for another attack!  

Preventative measures are the best (stopping the adult moth BEFORE it lays eggs)

1. Use Aluminum Foil- Lay it underneath the stem of the plant at the base. This causes the moth to become disoriented. 
2. Cover Vine with Soil: (works only for vining plants) Cover the vine with soil at several points along the length.  This will allow the plant to root at many points allowing it to continue to feed the developing fruit even if the original stem becomes damaged by the borer.  Then if you find damage (after it has roots at multiple points) any infected portion can be cut off along with another inch where larvae is eating the healthy tissue.  This will minimize damage to the plant.
3. Check plants at twilight or early morning. The squash moth is active for 2 months (peaking in July) during the daytime and rests on leaves in the evening.  Never EVER allow any larvae to reach the ground.  Catch them and destroy them.  
4. Wooden board- place the board near your plants and the adult moth borers should all gather in this location.  Then you can destroy them.
5. Use Row Covers on your garden (especially if you have neighbors that are also growing plants that are susceptible to the squash vine borer).
6. Wipe stems of plants every 5 days vigorously with a damp cloth.  This should wipe away any eggs which are known to hatch in 7 to 10 days.  (An Auburn University researcher found this in an 1890's book on farming). 
7. Using a flashlight (at night or early morning) shine the light on the stems and look for any dark forms (larvae).  If you see anything use a stiff wire or needle and carefully push it through to kill the borer without causing too much damage to the plant.

Employ Back-up Measures (if you have had this pest in the past OR if you want to play it safe)

1. Make succession plantings- (For example if you are planting Zucchini)- plant 1 or 2 seeds every 14 to 21 days so that you will be assured to have fruit during the summer. (If you don't have enough room in your garden for a new planting you can always start it in a container and then transplant it into your garden).
2. Harvest fruit often (just in case the stem is attacked)
3. Make sure to inspect each plant everyday and check for signs of frass or small holes at the base of the stem.  If you see either of these then pull the entire plant out of the ground. Put the bottom portion of the stem in soapy water to kill the larvae then dispose of it in the trash.
4. Plant companion plants- Beebalm, Catnip, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Mints, Radishes and Tansy.  
5. Natural enemy is the Parasitic Wasp during the egg stage.

NOTE: If you employ these above measures and have had the squash vine borer in the past as time goes by your problems should disappear. 

  
MORE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES (we will try these next year):

FIRST: Remove all vines completely from garden and compost.  This will prevent any borers in the larval stage from completing their development.  Note: Sanitation for your entire garden is very important after your harvest is complete. 
 
SECOND: Use a hoe to dig in the soil in the area that the borer attacked the previous year.  Search for cocoons about an inch deep and remove any that you find. 

THIRD: Using row cover material cut up little pieces and wrap the stem of baby seedlings before you plant them in the garden.  Make sure to extend the material as low as possible on the stem.  Plant the seedlings and make certain the covered area of the stem extends below the soil line. Continue to wrap the vine with more material as the vine grows. 

FOURTH: Inter plant buckwheat to supply food for a fly parasite (tachnid fly) of the squash bug.  

FIFTH: Plant a trap crop very early of Hubbard Squash.  Then any SVB will attack this plant and leave your other plants alone. 

If all of the above methods do not work (or you just don't want to deal with all this) then you can plant resistant cultivars.  These are vining summer squash that offer an apparent resistant to and tolerance of borer attacks.

1. Tatume or Tatuma (also listed as round zucchini or Mexican zucchini).  It tastes similar to zucchini and is an heirloom or open pollinated variety.  Gardeners have been growing varieties of C. pepo for the past 8,000 to 10,000 years.   It can be harvested as either a summer or winter squash.   It is harvested when it is the size of a baseball.  This plant can send out vines 10' to 12' in length so make sure you have room in your garden.  (Next year I want to try starting this from seed and growing this vertically!) www.heirloomsolutions.com

Tatume fruit

 







     2. Trombichino (Zucchetta Rampicante, Climbing Zucchini, Climbing Crookneck or Serpentine Squash) This summer squash is an heirloom from Liguria and is a butternut relative.  Like the Tatume it can be harvested as either a summer or winter squash.  The flavor can be compared to a watery butternut squash.  You pick this squash when it is one foot in length. www.territorialseed.com 

Trombichino fruit

3. Waltham Butternut- this is a type of winter squash and the flavor has a nutty taste similar to a pumpkin.  It grows on a vine and turns deep orange when it is ripe.   We grew these last year and this was the only squash that was NOT attacked by the squash vine borer. 

Waltham Butternut fruit

You can also try a Cucurbita moschatta cultivar.  This species shows a higher resistance to disease and insects (including the squash vine borer).  Types are: 

1. Tromboncino- summer squash
2. Calabaza
3. Butternut Squash
4. Long of Naples squash
5. Giromon
6. Dickinson field pumpkin
7. Kentucky field pumpkin
8. Long Island cheese pumpkin 
9. Seminole pumpkin
10. Neck pumpkin (idea for pumpkin pie)

2012 Garden in Review

 Hand-drawn Garden Plan

 This is the rough plan I drew up in 2012 for our garden layout. 

May 27th, 2012 
Pictured below are the two raised beds we constructed out of pine in 2012.  The vegetables are just starting to grow.  The layout and spacing we used is from the Square Foot Gardening Method.

In the closest bed (#3) we had: (2) Butternut Squash which would grow on the trellis, (12) Eggplant- two different types: (6) Lavendar Touch and (3) Black Beauty, and (171) Bush Beans- Bush Blue Lake 274 variety. 

In the farthest bed (#4) we had: (3) Straight neck Summer Squash, (2) Cilantro, (1) Green Bell Pepper, (1) Yellow Bell Pepper, (1) Pepper Carmen, (4) 1 year crown Asparagus, (256) Yellow Onions. 

We also planted (2) Bush Zucchini plants on mounds.  You can't see them in this picture but they were located to the left of the first raised bed.                                                                 

New constructed pine beds with vegetables growing

Pine beds a few weeks later.