Beans starting to run
We have had a spate of cold wet weather. Monday's high was only 52F. Brrr. At least today we are supposed to get into the 60s finally. We only got two inches of rain over the last four days, but it has been constantly drizzly so not much work has been done in the garden.
But the beans were starting to run and I hadn't put up the strings for them to climb. I did find a not so wet time yesterday to finish the chore after being chased in previously. It might be cold and the insects might be chewing on the beans, but still they want to grow. Go beans! That is my good news this time.
As to bad news, I lost one battle. This is my rhubarb. I was trying to keep it from blooming, but it was hopeless. It just wanted to. I had cut off numerous flower shoots, but it wore me down and I finally let it go.
Ugly huh? The aphids have really taken over the fava beans as usual. I hope the lady bugs come in and breed like they did last year. I really need them about now.
And probably the worst news, the earwigs have been really bad this year. This is what an earwig does to a Michihili cabbage. Luckily one seems to be untouched. But at least two of my three Napa cabbages have been hit, though not as hard. It will be interesting after I harvest to see what is edible inside. But all of them will be taken apart outside so I don't bring those nasty things in. But my biggest worry about the earwigs is my corn. The last time I had an earwig boom like this year they ate all the silks off my corn. I will have a lot of corn in the garden this year.
Great on beans and ouch on bugs. That's how my cabbage looks right about now too.
ReplyDeleteMy potato leaves are being chewed on by earwigs. That's fine, just keep them there and not on the lettuce or corn! I think earwigs are what turn my hollyhock leaves to lace, too. Maybe that's what ate my beans, as I sure haven't seen anything else that would do it.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know ear wigs do that! Maybe that is what is getting my eggplant! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe beans look great Daphne. It will warm up sooner or later. I've been battling the weather and the bugs at the home garden too.
ReplyDeleteyahoo to the good news and boo to the bad!!
ReplyDeleteYou've got to try Sluggo Plus! It kills cutworms, sowbugs, pillbugs, slugs, snails, and earwigs. And best of all it's ORGANIC and even at $28 for 2.5 lbs, it is still a deal because it lasts 4-6 weeks where most slug bait has to be replaced after every watering. It saved my garden this year.
ReplyDeleteearwigs are my curse as well. my cucumbers are really their target this year. even my crusading marigolds are getting tired of the battle.
ReplyDeleteThose earwigs are a menace! I never knew they ate corn - is there anything you can do to stop them climbing the stalks?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you could cover the favas with row cover and buy some ladybugs to release underneath the cover until they eat the aphids.
ReplyDeleteIs your bolting rhubarb the "victoria" variety? I have two victoria plants and they always flower, but my other plants don't.
ReplyDeleteI have no clue what variety it is. But it is supposed to have red stalks and doesn't. So I'm guessing whatever it is, it isn't what I thought I planted.
DeleteI wonder if the mild winter is leading to the earwig population explosion that everyone seems to be having. I'm almost ready to give up the Potager for the season. Although the cavalry my have arrived for me. When I went to water last night my watering can was covered with at least 30 praying mantis hatchlings. They should frow fast with all the bugs in the garden!
ReplyDeleteWater and soap.
ReplyDeleteIt works!
I'm having a serious issue with earwigs this year too.
ReplyDelete