| |
|
Entry Date
|
Nick Name
|
Location
|
|
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
|
|
Matt D.
|
Connecticut
|
 |
Entry 21 of 53 |
 |
|
|
|
Annual Patch Update…
Typically, this is the time of year where the plants are just starting to get going and the season is underway with excitement for what they year will bring. However, for me this year it has been with great disappointment and frustration. While I have been growing for the last 16 years each year has had a set of challenges and list of ways I could have made improvements. Sometimes problems are simply out of your control and this is what I feel this year is going to result in.
My plants were off to a slower than normal pace, but everything was looking ok with no reason for concern. I set-up my insect netting and have been spraying garlic barrier and releasing my Green Lacewing beneficial insects to combat the early season aphid issues I have had in the past. However, it seems my problem this year is more macroscopic, because there is a squirrel in the area that has developed a liking for pumpkin plants. This is very odd as I have always had a few squirrels around and if anything this year there are fewer than normal.
With the reflective insect netting up (in addition to the metal fencing and chicken wire) I have not had any issues with woodchucks and squirrels in the patch, at least up to this point. I originally thought I had chipmunks doing the damage but one day I caught a squirrel right on top of one of my main vines. Also the extent of the damage is too large for a chipmunk.
Not sure what to do at this point other than making sure all of my fishing equipment is in good order as it looks like it will be getting used with greater frequency than last year.
|
|
|
