Heirloom Yields?

[Peaches Lee]

Peaches Lee, have you had a problem with stink bugs? I don't know how common they are in NW PA but they're horrible here. They've been decimating the apple crop in Maryland for a few years--then again, in our yard, it's the European Hornets doing the same thing.

Yes, we have had a horrid problem with stink bugs. They seem to favor the delicate skinned summer and winter squashes--they left the tomatoes and peppers alone.

 

[erinszoo]

Stink bugs a.k.a. SQUASH bugs ... hence their preference for the squash family of plants. They move on to melons after the squash but rarely mess with anything else.

 

[wildflowerrun]

Stink bugs a.k.a. SQUASH bugs ... hence their preference for the squash family of plants. They move on to melons after the squash but rarely mess with anything else.

Yes, we have had a horrid problem with stink bugs. They seem to favor the delicate skinned summer and winter squashes--they left the tomatoes and peppers alone.

This makes me sad! I suppose it's good I shouldn't worry TOO much about the tomatoes and peppers, but I'm only just learning to like squash and would like to see it last the season!

 

[Peaches Lee]

I haven't tried any pesticides with stink bugs, but maybe it's worth a shot. I think it also may help if you rotate your crops; plant squash in a completely different area from the previous year. I love squash, especially winter squash, heirloom provides amazing varieties.

Black Futsu (left) and Triamble or Shamrock (right). Pic taken last week, Black Futsu when ripe is dark green but turns chestnut in storage!

A mix of winter heirloom varieties. Our blues and greens.

 

[oakgroveacres]

In my opinion heirloom varieties taste so much better,any reduction in yield would be well worth it.

 

[Peaches Lee]

Thought I'd share some more photos for you.

This is what we had left after harvest--what we chose to keep--we had great yields!

Chadwick Cherry tomato and some grape tomatoes--an afternoon harvest.

Purple Beauty sweet pepper growing. Unfortunately, they lose their wonderful color during cooking.

Pennsylvania Dutch Crookneck--well, I'm in PA, I have to grow this LOL!

Black Futsu, before winter storage.

A conglomeration of Hungarian Hot Wax and Black Hungarian peppers, and some unripe Striped Roman tomatoes.

 

[wildflowerrun]

Peaches Lee, I LOVED the pictures! I definitely appreciate you sharing And they're such beautiful photos!

And WOW that's a great haul I'm wishing I'd planted more than one winter squash..... Next year I suppose? Unless I can find another place in the garden to "hide" them

How many plants did you pull all those tomatoes off of?!

I also know that there is at least one pesticide for stink bugs that works (they spray our house because we used to have a termite problem), but I'm not sure I want to put it on my food. I'm trying to do relatively natural this year (the tomatoes are currently in a Miracle Gro soil so they're not full organic.....). Next year I may try another step forward! I just know every time I look at my tomatoes under the grow lights, I get hungry. It SMELLS like tomatoes and garden in the basement (oh, and chicken.....).

Are all the winter squash (and pumpkin, I guess, though I suppose that's considered a winter squash) varieties that you plant edible? Forgive the silly question but I'm only just starting to explore squash and am still learning!

 

[Peaches Lee]

I think maybe ten tomato plants? I suggest, if you love tomatoes, to always plant cherry and grape type tomatoes as they seem to produce wonderfully no matter the growing conditions were as the larger types have more issues.

Yes, all things we plant are edible (except for flowers-- though that's bee food LOL!). It's really amazing because heirlooms can offer you both edibility and ornament. We have one customer who buys our squash for display, and then distributes it to family for eating. I've had a ton of fun discovering the unique qualities of each squash I produce--it's an addiction, which I'm sure you can tell by the photos LOL! I'm also kicking myself for slacking on not taking more photos of my plants.

 

[erinszoo]

Quote:
If you cover your squash with row cover, like light weight remay cloth and keep it in place until you have female blooms you can minimize any damage from squash bugs. They are the biggest pest problem in the south and the only thing that makes any difference with them is to cover the crops to keep them from laying eggs in the first place. Once the plants are uncovered you can look for eggs on the underside of leaves and squish them before they hatch. You can also pick off the bugs and throw them into a bucket of water or teach a chicken to eat them as you pick them off. They have two life cycles in the southern states (zone 6 and up) so tricks like planting late or early to break the life cycle of them doesn't work. Supposedly healthy plants that have a good head start will survive any squash bug damage ... I haven't found that to be true though and if you get a squash vine borer kiss the plant goodbye. Some people plant a whole plot of squash just for the bugs to eat on so they will leave the rest of the crop alone. Wish I had room to do that.

 

[Tammy N]

For my bug Issue i use Praying Mantids .. Stink Bugs are a Great meal .
Winks Hi all i hope im not too late to join this group looks like i am too late for others .

I do Organic Heirlooms

The oldest tomatoes i have are Charley Chapman Great flavor they can be used for so many things also great in sauce or hand eating

The oldest Mellons i have are Tiger mellons , YUMMY

If i am not too late can someone PLease let me know i have way too many seeds or i can always store them for later down the road .
Tammy