hoodat, you were absolutely correct. I gave them one, just to see what they'd do, and they turned their noses up at it! So, I made a garlic pesticide, and added the larvae to it in the blender. We sprayed the potatoes this weekend with it, so we'll see how it goes.
Is it okay to feed chickens potato beetle larvae? We've been picking them off the potatoes, and I asked hubby if he was going to give the to the chickens. He said he didn't want to because they eat the leaves of the plant, which are toxic, and so he doesn't want to feed them to the chickens...
I'd be glad to. :) It'll be a couple weeks before my basil is ready to be harvested, but once it's ready, I will have lots. My 9 year old son decided to plant basil in his little garden plot, plus I have several plants of my own. I wish we had an extra fridge, it sure would be convenient!
Thanks for sharing Lesa. I have always dried my basil in bunches on a rack. The flavor has always been well preserved, but it does darken quite a bit. I will have to give this a try. If there wasn't room in the fridge, do you think a cool room would work?
I can't stand using gloves, it's too hard for me to get a good grip on the weeds if I wear 'em. And I usually end up somehow getting dirt inside the gloves anyway. Besides, a little dirt is good for you--strengthens the immune system ;) .
I agree with Steve, sounds like California poppies. I grow them in my garden, they're lovely. If you pull it up, the root will be very orange. I harvest the roots and then dry them, and my hands are always stained orange after handling them.
Thank you for the ID help! :) This overgrown area is something that I have let go wild for the birds and other critters, not anywhere near any gardens where I want to grow anything specific. Do you think I should still erradicate the bindweed? Is this a native species? My only concern for...
I have an area of trees and shrubby stuff on the edge of my property filled with all kinds of mystery plants. But, I'm going to start out asking for help with these two vines.
Mystery Vine #1
And here is Mystery Vine #2:
Mystery Vine #2 runs all the way up to the tops of my the big...
Yes, this happened to us last year. I thought it was because we had our tomatoes planted too close to the potatoes, but it turns out that is not the case:
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2004/7-2-2004/tomatopotato.html
buckabucka, did you end up planting any peanuts? If so, how are they doing? Mine don't really seem to be doing much of anything. It's been cold and wet lately, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it. They look healthy enough, but just aren't getting any bigger.
You could try pickling them. I hear that takes some of the bite out--though I cannot personally attest to that since I've never actually eaten a pickled radish. :hu
We made our garden way bigger this year so that we could plant more stuff. So, yeah, the pumpkins and squash don't look so hot this year...but, wow, our potatoes, radishes, lettuces, and beans are doing wonderfully! The more you plant, I suppose the better chance you have of something turning...