Around here, there was near record snowfall last winter, along with many cold nights. My thinking is that many garden pests actually survived the winter better than usual because the thick blanket of snow, which persisted for months, allowed for high survival. The garden pests have been diverse, numerous, and destructive.
By far the most destructive pest this year has been beet leafhoppers, specifically those that carry Curly Top Virus (CTV). At least 100 tomato vines have been infected so far, with more showing signs every day.
Second most destructive is tomato hornworms, followed by potato beetles, grasshoppers, flea beetles, squash bugs, stink bugs, and yes, even termites! Only found on the roots of one dying tomato plant so far, there were so many that it was clear that they contributed to it’s demise.
At the scale of a garden, predator populations typically lag behind prey populations by a few weeks. Following are just a few of the allies that help control pests.
The higher the biodiversity, the lower the risk of any one pest species causing extensive damage. Growing without chemical pesticides, if nothing else, makes gardening far more interesting! But Curly Top Virus really SUCKS! More than 10% loss already this year.
About 20 varieties of tomatoes have ripened in July. First blush was of Ambrosia Gold on July 10th, with the very similar Sungold (OP) and Totushka being the other earliest to ripen varieties.
Tomato patch, weekly progress from May 25nd to July 31st. With some great help, 800 tomato seedlings were transplanted from plug trays into the main tomato patch between Math 26th and June 1st. Replacements of dead plants commenced soon after the big hailstorm on June 3rd and are continuing through at least July 30th, with at least 40 more dead plants that still need to be replaced.
Tours through the center row of the tomato patch.
Delectation of Tomatoes, etc. 