Smokerbill
Free Ranging
Back in the 70's I farmed a few acres of potatoes with my grandpa. The previous year, 100# sacks of potatoes were going for $11, which was great in those days. So we decided to make some money.I forgot to mention that 2 of the tire beds I've been growing potatoes in have died. I looked closer at the remaining beds and they appear to be infested with Colorado Potato Beetles. I haven't been home to pick them off... We ARE taking a day off from packing up my mom's house tomorrow so maybe I'll have a chance to play catch up in the garden. I wonder if Neem works on potato bugs?
As the potatoes grew, they became infested with Colorado potato beetles. Grandpa had the fix. He pulled out a bottle of DDT, mixed up a 55 gallon barrel and we sprayed the potato patch. Killed every beetle, and probably every other living insect unfortunately.
We also sprayed around the foundation of his house, which probably kept it pest free for years to come.
I don't know if DDT was still legal at the time, but even if it was it was potent stuff that shouldn't have been used, for many reasons.
Anyway, I guess karma got the best of us. Seems everyone planted potatoes that year because of the previous year's high prices. The going rate for the potatoes we grew was only $1 per 100 pound bag.
Karma can suck. LOL