Homestead mailing list

["Wendy" <crazygardens AT verizon.net>]

Lynn,
I have not done any extensive experiments as to the effectiveness of various 
varieties.  I just put in what the local greenhouse has cheap.  I can 
sometimes get packs with one or two that are not doing so well or "dead 
cells" at a great discount.

I have squash bug problems also.  &@#*!  The only remedy I have found for 
squash bugs is crop rotation (BIG spaces between crops) or only planting 
squashes once every three years.  They are persistent little buggers.  They 
get worse with each consecutive year if I try to plant them every year in 
the same location.  And don't put squash vines in the compost pile.  I wish 
I could find a crop that I could plant in alternate years (or inbetween the 
squash) that does them in rather than just starving them to death.

Has anyone tried the "Sister" planting system with squash, corn and 
something planted together in an area that is prone to squash bugs?  Maybe 
this can help there....or maybe not.

Wendy



> Wendy; Does any specific type of marigold work better than others? There
> are like a million varieties of just dwarf marigolds.  I like the look of
> flowers in with the veggies, too.
>
> Also, does anyone have a natural remedy for squash bugs and the virus they
> apparently carry? They have destroyed ALL my squash, melons, and cucumbers
> for 2 years now. I've tried every organic solution I could find, including
> picking off eggs...they quickly got ahead of me. I covered my winter
> squash with insect row covers, and they did well until I had to take the
> covers off for pollination, then they died like the rest.
>
> Lynn Wigglesworth
> Peasant Farmer
> Tioga County, PA
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Wendy" <crazygardens AT verizon.net>
> To: <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 6:32 PM
> Subject: Re: [Homestead] Organic claims on trial
>
>
> > Lynda,
> > I have found that anywhere I plant marigolds NOTHING bothers.  No voles,
> no
> > bunnies, no deer.  If I plant green beans without marigolds, nothing
> will
> > survive.  Something will always crop them to the ground before the beans
> > even come on.  Same with green peppers.  Without marigolds I find vole
> > diggings throughout.  With, not a one.  I buy marigold plants already
> > started for this because I want the plants up before the beans do.  If
> you
> > have facilities to start them yourself, it would be a big money saver.
> I
> > grow in raised beds.  I plant the dwarf marigolds about every foot
> around
> > the edge and a row of giants about every two feet down the middle.
> Looks
> > cool too.
> >
> > Wendy
>
> _______________________________________________
> Homestead list and subscription:
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/homestead
> Change your homestead list member options:
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/options/homestead/crazygardens%40verizon.net
> View the archives at:
> https://lists.ibiblio.org/sympa/arc/homestead