Category Archives: Vegetable gardens
Honey bees at center of controversy
What could present a more peaceful, bucolic image than the scene of beekeepers tending their bee hives? Beekeepers are traditionally seen as the gentlest of agriculturalists, not killing for food but merely reaping the labor of an industrious insect in exchange for nurture and protection. Yet there is little peaceful about the verbal and political battle swirling about beekeepers and honey bees at the moment. You may have seen the headlines in recent years proclaiming the doom of the honey bee. The domestic bee industry in the U.S…. Read More →
A better way to enhance natural pest control
Today I received a call from a Master Gardener who wanted to advise a local organic garden on the best beneficial insects to release to control pests. My answer surprised her a little. I generally recommend against gardeners releasing beneficial insects. It’s not that I am opposed to biological control, or don’t believe in the value of predatory and parasitic insects. I know that releasing insects to control other insects is a time-honored, and historically successful, approach to pest control. The annals are full of stories of highly successful programs… Read More →
Keep the cabbage whites away
No, this is not a racist posting. It’s about cabbage white butterflies. I recently posted about this butterfly in my newly planted vegetable garden. Cabbage white butterflies, Pieris rapae, are one of the most common pests of vegetable gardens. The caterpillar, also known as the imported cabbageworm, feeds on many plants in the mustard family. According to John Capinera’s Handbook of Vegetable Pests, vegetables attacked include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale and radishes, and others. Our entomologist in Overton, Texas, Scott Ludwig, caught a report of… Read More →
Start vegetable pest control early
It’s officially spring, and for most of us in Texas the average frost free date is now passed. This means that new vegetable gardens are appearing in backyards; and nurseries are selling tomato and pepper plants as fast as they can restock their shelves. I planted my modest vegetable and herb garden this weekend and literally before I could get my bok-choy and spinach in the ground, the pests were all over. While my Chinese cabbage was sitting in its small pot waiting to be planted, I watched… Read More →
Just the fly for your pumpkin patch
Master Gardener and Entomology Specialist, Donya Camp, took this picture the other day. It occurred to me that it would make the perfect “interesting insect” to feature today, not only because of it’s holiday colors, but also because of it’s importance to the pumpkin and squash patch. Trichopoda pennipes may be one of the prettiest flies in the family Tachinidae. Any fly enthusiast will tell you that tachinid flies are best known for their highly useful skills at stalking and attacking pests. Trichopoda pennipes lays its eggs on… Read More →
A systemic for vegetables?
But even though my brain says trust the science, my heart says leave the systemic products for lawns, trees and shrubs. Read More →
