Comments on: Three Sisters Woes Continue

By: Tomato Lady

Tomato Lady — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:01:55 +0000

Laurie–Yes, I may try it again some day, when I forget what a disaster this was. Maybe with no freak winds. . .

By: Laurie

Laurie — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:10:39 +0000

We had the same problems this year with our 3 sisters garden. I had really high hopes for it…We have also recently had racoons eating the corn that is there and I think it was on its way to a decent size. I did find though that some of the beans grew a little too well and were taking over the slower growing corn – which I wasnt expecting. I do agree that is a lot of work when you can get fresh corn everywhere, but there’s just something about doing it yourself.

By: Tomato Lady

Tomato Lady — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:31:56 +0000

gremlina–Hm. I’ll have to give that a try. I’ll do anything if it kills borers.
I think I’m with you on the 3 sisters. They were practically giving corn away this year everywhere I went. People were showing up with bags of it in their trunk to share. True, it’s not heirloom or organic, but it isn’t three inches long, either, like mine was, *sigh*.

By: gremlina

gremlina — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:39:54 +0000

We struggle with squash randomly every year. One thing we did this year was Escar-go! from Garden’s Alive. It seemed to have prevented borers as well…It’s natural & worth a shot! & our 3 sisters have never really worked. This year it all looked great with 8 foot corn, beans growing higher & higher, but it all quit. The corn was miniature at best…not sure it’s worth the effort when we can get 3 ears for $1 at the local Farmer’s Market. Sadly, there aren’t many heirloom varieties available there though…

By: Tomato Lady

Tomato Lady — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:07:39 +0000

Stephanie–I don’t think you missed anything. The foil doesn’t seem to have had much of an effect. I still have some squash but not much. Glad you are having a good year!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:13:06 +0000

Ha! I just read about using foil around the plants about a week ago. Seriously considered it, but never did get around to it. After two years of almost complete loss squash bugs and borers we are finally having a year that they are under control. Knock on wood! Not sure exactly what the fix was but I am enjoying it!

By: Tomato Lady

Tomato Lady — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:59:25 +0000

Khadija–Really? I’ll have to check that out. They can be sneaky.
The squash beetle in this reference looks more yellow: http://www.bonnieplants.com/LearnGrowLibrary/PestID/tabid/95/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/39/Squash-Beetles.aspx
What do you think?
The bug I photo’d was feeding on aphids, so I hope it’s okay . . .

By: Khadija

Khadija — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:49:13 +0000

Are you sure it’s a ladybug? I thought ladybugs are not suppossed to have symetrical spots? There’s a pest which resembles ladybugs but has symetrical spots. I think you took a photo of the pest.

http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/ladybug-look-alike.html

Young squash beetle?

By: Tomato Lady

Tomato Lady — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:45:11 +0000

Hi, Rebecca! Soap is fine in organic gardening. Sounds like you have a formula that works great for you and your azaleas!

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:57:11 +0000

Would it be breaking organic garden rules to spray the aphids and around the base of the plants with a 1-4 mixture of dish soap and water (in that order)? This worked very well on the aphids on my azaleas. I hadn’t been paying attention to them and they had gotten quite ill before I noticed the bugs. The bloom and greenery exploded after I sprayed a couple of times every other day.