Thursday, July 9, 2009

Help My Squash Plants!

Help! Something is eating my squash plants. I can't figure out what. There are little holes that are eaten through the lower leaves and flowers. I thought slugs. I put some beer out on a plate and I did "catch" about 6. But the hole issues seems to be getting worse now!

Anything thoughts or suggestions? I'll probably run to Lowe's today to get some pesticide (I never said this garden of mine would be organic!). It's really sad for me! My plants are huge and full of flower buds but they just keep getting eaten and then eventually fall off. My neighbor has squash plants on his side of the fence. They are much smaller than mine but they appear to be hole free. My tomatoes, cucumbers and pumpkins seem to be doing fine.

Poor Gretchen...

Oh, and I did try google and couldn't really seem to find a solution.

5 comments:

The Mom said...

Are there any bugs on them that look like ladybugs. They are imposters and will devour your plants. Don't use pesticides. Try this recipe.
4 tbsp hot sauce,1tsp hot pepper flakes,2tbsp crushed garlic,1 tsp dish soap,2 tbsp veg oil, 4 cups water. Mix garlic,hot pepper, hot sauce and oil-let sit overnight, strain garlic then add water. Put in spray bottle-use sparingly.Reapply after rain and once a week.
Bev
www.homeschoolgardener.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I haven't tried it yet, but in someone's blog they wrote to sprinkle flour on the leafs? Seems simple and cheap, at least to try!

Paula said...

Make orange peel spray. Pour 2 cups boiling water over the peelings from one orange then steep for 24 hours. Strain, then mix in a few drops of Castille soap. It is a pesticide that will kill aphids and also repel ants.

If you dont have any castile soap you could probably use a few drops of ivory or dawn soap. couldnt hurt and wont harm your plants.

The first lady with the garlic spray was also recommended.

Unknown said...

Thanks! I actually have Bev's recipe sitting here (I can't believe I actually had all those things in my house!!). I hope it helps.

Maybe I'll try the flour too. Thanks for all the tips. I'll write up a post about them in a few days.

The Mom said...

Just know your garden will smell like a taco. Not such a bad thing if you ask me.
Bev
www.homeschoolgardener.blogspot.com