Whiteflies

Went to dig out some of the suffering tomato plants, pot them and bring them inside. When I did, I found whiteflies. LOTS of whiteflies. Like, by the tens of thousands! It's a miracle any of the tomato plants are still alive.Went to dig out some of the suffering tomato plants, pot them and bring them inside. When I did, I found whiteflies. LOTS of whiteflies. Like, by the tens of thousands! It's a miracle any of the tomato plants are still alive.

So I mixed up a batch of insecticidal soap, nicotine and vegetable oil. Sprayed that all over the garden very heavily. Have to repeat that every few days for a while.

In a few weeks, can get some ladybugs and praying mantis eggs.

With that many whiteflies, that's probably most fo what has been wrong with the garden. Things haven't responded no matter how much I've watered. After heavy watering, things should have looked better for at least a short while. They haven't been visible on the plants. I only saw them when I started digging and saw them under the mulch and down in the soil.

I planted more pumpkins tonight. LOTS of pumpkin seeds. In this case, I'm planning on thinning, if too many seeds begin to take. Some earlier plants are gaining in size. This is the outer edge of the dates for planting pumpkins but some should fruit by Halloween and others by Thanksgiving. Never did get any true giant seeds this year. Too late now. Maybe next year. At least once I would like to grow a 400 pounder or larger.

I also planted more green beans, corn and carrots.

Temps are dropping slightly and slowly. Highs are forecast for the mid 90's instead of high 90's too 100+ as it has been for a few weeks.

So maybe there's still some hope for the garden this year. Maybe.Went to dig out some of the suffering tomato plants, pot them and bring them inside. When I did, I found whiteflies. LOTS of whiteflies. Like, by the tens of thousands! It's a miracle any of the tomato plants are still alive.Went to dig out some of the suffering tomato plants, pot them and bring them inside. When I did, I found whiteflies. LOTS of whiteflies. Like, by the tens of thousands! It's a miracle any of the tomato plants are still alive.

So I mixed up a batch of insecticidal soap, nicotine and vegetable oil. Sprayed that all over the garden very heavily. Have to repeat that every few days for a while.

In a few weeks, can get some ladybugs and praying mantis eggs.

With that many whiteflies, that's probably most fo what has been wrong with the garden. Things haven't responded no matter how much I've watered. After heavy watering, things should have looked better for at least a short while. They haven't been visible on the plants. I only saw them when I started digging and saw them under the mulch and down in the soil.

I planted more pumpkins tonight. LOTS of pumpkin seeds. In this case, I'm planning on thinning, if too many seeds begin to take. Some earlier plants are gaining in size. This is the outer edge of the dates for planting pumpkins but some should fruit by Halloween and others by Thanksgiving. Never did get any true giant seeds this year. Too late now. Maybe next year. At least once I would like to grow a 400 pounder or larger.

I also planted more green beans, corn and carrots.

Temps are dropping slightly and slowly. Highs are forecast for the mid 90's instead of high 90's too 100+ as it has been for a few weeks.

So maybe there's still some hope for the garden this year. Maybe.