Sunday, August 15, 2010

Why Do Aphids Love Pumpkins As Much As Me?

DSC_1952_4902The Cinderella Pumpkins are beginning to bloom.  I didn’t expect anything so this is a bonus.  If the squash set, there should be pumpkins for Halloween and Thanksgiving.  Last year my pumpkin patch was overrun with aphids(Note to DBE gals:  click on the word aphids to see the problem I had last year.  A new window should open with that post.  The window you are currently reading should stay open.  You can return to this window whenever you like.  Lesson over.  Let me know if you have any trouble.  I’m happy to help.) The same is true in 2010.

DSC_1957_4907In the morning, I give the underside of the leaves a blast from the hose to get rid of the aphids and eggs while irrigating.  This does the trick for now.  I may need help from some ladybugs.  The leaves look a bit wilted after this treatment…

DSC_1955_4905 …but they bounce back as the day wears on.

Seed Alert!  Seed Alert!  My seeds have arrived for fall planting.  I’ll post about them soon.

3 comments:

Maureen said...

We pulled most of our aphid-infested melons and squash...but the pumpkins are (so far) sans aphids. Unfortunately, the squash bugs are picking up the slack on those plants....sigh:(

Gardening is not for Wimps!

Dirty Girl Gardening said...

I especially like how bright and sunny your pic.'s look... it's been so cold around here it's nice to see sun somewhere! Your grapes in the back ground are lovely, too....

Curbstone Valley Farm said...

Been having a fair few aphids ourselves this summer. The hose does work wonders though. Fall planting? Ugh. Summer has barely started here!