Re: [gardeners] Saturday in the garden

George Shirley (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Mon, 15 May 2000 10:03:38 -0500 

Ron Hay wrote:
> 
> Dorsett wrote:
> 
> > > >I think it was on OGL.  She used garlic oil/water and sprayed
> > > the perimeter
> > > >of her lawn.  She said treatments lasted a couple of
> > > months...there wasn't
> > > >much/any odor...and that *no* insects would be found within the sprayed
> > > >area.  Somehow, I've never been brave enough to try it.
> > > >
> > > > Barb in Southern Indiana  Zone 5/6  dorsett@blueriver.net
> > > >    A root is a flower that disdains fame.
> > > >
> > > You've gotten sick on garlic too, eh? I thought she used that commercial
> > > garlic repellant. I have a bottle of it here, but haven't had occasion to
> > > use it. Apparently we have a mosquito control effort that's working.
> > > Margaret L
> >
> > I just like some of the insects, butterflies and such in particular.  What
> > if it really worked, and there were no insects at all for a couple of
> > months?  I can't really imagine a garden being complete without them.
> >
> >  Barb in Southern Indiana  Zone 5/6  dorsett@blueriver.net
> >     A root is a flower that disdains fame.
> 
> Good morning, Barb,
> 
> You must not grow zonal geraniums, tomatoes or cole crops in your garden. I am
> having a continual fight against tobacco budworms, which devastate the blooms
> of my zonal and some regals even before they can open, by hollowing them out
> from within. And the loopers! This is our first try at cabbage, brussels
> sprouts and cauliflower, and it is a never-ending battle. We must use some sort
> of insect control, and this year we are using pyrethrin, but carefully, since
> Penny warned about burning foliage.
> 
> The bees seem not to be deterred, nor the butterflies (I could care less about
> cabbage moths!), nor the hummingbirds which breed in our garden.
> 
> We just feel it is necessary if we are to have any flowers and veggies that are
> not chewed to ribbons!
> 
> Ron

I've had very good results against cabbage loopers and tobacco hornworms by
using Bt, either in powder form or as a spray. Totally harmless to most
everything but worm types. We've about eliminated the cabbage looper problem in
our gardens and haven't seen a hornworm in two years. We do have other types of
worms attacking some crops but I spray Bt every two weeks or after every rain.

I also have beneficial nematodes on order, the sort that kill grubs underground.
Also will kill the types of caterpillars that live just under the surface.

You might want to try Bt at least Ron.

George