What did you do in the garden today?

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I don't organic, but about all you can do is pick and drown them. Tomatoes are self pollinating, so you can use a fine bug netting over them to prevent egg laying.

Wow, you beat me to it. I was going to say I use my fingers. And are they caterpillars or hornworms? If they’re hornworms and they have stuff that looks like rice on them you leave them alone. The “rice” is actually parasites that destroy the hornworms.

 

[jerryse]

I found caterpillars on my tomatoes. I really wanted to avoid using chemicals unless absolutely necessary.

For those of you that do organic gardening, what do you use?

Try BT sprayed on foliage .

 

[pennyJo1960]

what is BT? please

 

[MissChick@dee]

Just had the irrigation lines running for the morning watering. Holy Bob howdy! It's already miserable out there. The dewpoint is already 78 degrees and the temp in the 80s.

I hosed off the alpacas while I was out there. The chickens are begging to be let out, but it's too early. Soon it will be safer to have them out than in (heat wise), and hope for the best with predators.

The tomatoes really need tied up and trimmed up. I'll tackle that just before sunset. I'll feed the mosquitoes while I'm out there. Tomorrow I'll feed the plants.

 

[WthrLady]

9pm and our heat index is still 103 degrees. Sun is down. BELCH!

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Happy Retirement @trumpeting_angel! The first week of retirement for me was spending a lot of time indoors and sleeping. My commute was an exhausting experience and I don't miss that one bit. I agree with @MissChick@dee, how did I ever find time to work 8 1/2 hours a day with a total round trip commute of over 3 hours 5 days a week.

OMG - working in Boston, I bet. I lived much of my life in Northampton and any time I had to go East it was such a nightmare!

I had that little moment of panic today. I was coming home from the supermarket and someone on the radio mentioned it was Saturday. "Oh, no, it's already 3 pm on Saturday - where has my weekend gone?" It took a moment or two to calm down and realize there would be time, there would be time. But my list is very long, and I do know it will never end!

 

[pennyJo1960]

@trumpeting_angel your alright it will get to be more normal as time goes on
not near as hot humidity is non existent here high 70's

 

[cavemanrich]

They are also called assassin bugs. They got the name kissing bug because they will bite your face and lips while you sleep. It isn't very common anymore for that to happen as most people treat their houses with spray. They are usually active at night, as they are noctural, but you can find them in dense bushes and brush during the day. Ugh. They are awful. The few times I was bit was when I was a teen, and was out hiking in the woods, and disturbed them in the brush. One got between my skin and shirt.

I had to look the assassin up since not very familiar, and none in my area as far as I know.
Saw this and first thing that came to my mind..

Spoiler: Looks like

He is playing with a soccer ball

 

[jerryse]

what is BT? please

Bacculas thurgensis a biological control for soft bodied worms like grubs , caterpillars , hornworms etc . Most garden centers have it or buy online . Surprised you had not heard of it .

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Good morning gardeners. My bug bites are healing nicely and I think I can safely cut back on the benedryl. Good thing as the whole weekend has a been a little hazy. Hi @trumpeting_angel , you'll soon get in the habit of saying everyday is a weekend now. And yes when I catch the traffic news in the early morning I just laugh and really appreciate my current commute: to the garden, to the chicken coop, to the couch. Life is good! The garden is doing well. I picked some more lettuce this morning and about 1/4 pound of peas. The pole beans are doing well as are the tomato plants. I've been using my grills for dinner prep the past 4 days. Saving the electricity for the AC. Tonight is slow roasted smoky chicken. I don't expect to get much accomplished outside today as it is supposed to start raining in about an hour. Have a great day everyone.

Here's a picture of the "Kissing Bug" that likely bit me. They look like stink bugs to me and have been in Massachusetts for at least 10 years. Apparently they have teeth. I'm just glad it's about all healed.