Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Tonight's Harvest, Cherry Tomatoes and a Looper

I picked up another 2.8 oz's today to bring my total harvest so far this season to 2.4 pounds.


I pulled another butterhead lettuce at 1.5 oz's. Leaf lettuce came in at 0.7 and four sugar snap pea's at 0.6 oz's. I didn't count the the two alpine strawberries.



While I was taking my nightly tour of the garden beds I saw three cherry tomatoes in bed 1. Looks like I'm getting a little pollination even with the low bee count.



On April 11th I found this female cabbage butterfly visiting my garden...



and on Sunday April 26th I found this guy in my container of red leaf lettuce...



Turns out this is a cabbage looper, the offspring of the cabbage butterfly. I found more than just the one in the container. I'll be keeping a close eye on everything now.


What I learned today... next time plant more sugar snap peas.

9 comments:

  1. My SSpeas never, ever flowered. I'm so bummed. Are they worth me trying again in the fall?

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  2. I remember having green caterpillars on my cabbage last year. They at almost as much of the cabbage as I did.

    No, I'm exaggerating a little, but they would have if I didn't get rid of them. Watch out for the eggs too.

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  3. Oh thanks for letting us know what kind of moth you have! I've seen quite a number of those fluttering around my garden. I was wondering if they were the dreaded cabbage moth. Fortunately I have no cabbage planted, however I'm sure they lay their eggs on other brassicas (they seem to like my broccoli plants an awful lot!) Hope you can keep them at bay. I'll be sure to let ya know if I hear of any good organic methods in dealing with them. ::runs off to do a bit of research::

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  4. Hi Ribbit,

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! Yes try them again in the Fall. I have had no luck with sweet peas and thought I wouldn't be able to grow SSpeas... but I can! :-) I'm going to plant more in the fall. Wish me luck!

    Liisa

    Liisa

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  5. Hi Cheryl,

    Everyday before and after work I walk through the garden. I always check the container where I found the looper to see if any more are hanging around. I'm hoping this container has been my sacrificial lamb so to speak. So far I have not seen them anywhere else in the yard.

    Liisa

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  6. EG,

    Funny thing is I have BT. I have not timed it right to apply it. I have to get better at this pest control stuff.

    Liisa

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  7. Hi Jenn,

    Like EG said... "get some BT (bacillus thuringiensis" It seems to be safe. I have been looking over everything daily and so far the container lettuce is the only thing that is showing signs of pests and pest damage.

    Let me know what you find out.

    Liisa

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  8. I haven't noticed any eggs, damage or caterpillars yet. I'm gonna hold off on BT for now but I'm glad you've mentioned it because the way things are going so far this year I'm gonna probably need it! 0.o

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