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Category: Vegetable Gardening | Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 3:26 am

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I had a somewhat productive evening yesterday.

I got another three pound zucchini and decided to pull the plant. There weren't anymore blossoms, and the leaves were turning, so I figured this plant did more than enough for me. It had a great season. I got three huge zucchinis and 5 average sized ones from that one plant.

One of my acorn squash was getting yellow and a bit mildew-ish, so I pulled that plant out too. I got two good sized acorn squash from that plant. I still have another plant growing on the other end of the garden, so I'm looking forward to more.

Again, I must thank Sjoerd for his wisdom and advice. I cut the blossoms and tops off the tomato plants to make sure the plants' energy will go into ripening the tomatoes that are already grown instead of wasting it making the plant grow taller and putting out more blossoms with the season almost over. I was able to pick about 2 or 3 pounds of cherry tomatoes. I promised tomatoes to certain family members, so I'll fulfill my promises first, and once that is taken care of, I will save the rest for myself.
While I was going through the jungle of my tomato plants, I found an exciting discovery:


Tomato Hornworm with Braconid Wasp cocoons ( photo / image / picture from Beeker's Garden )

I am quite excited and have been planning on how to make my gardens more hospitable for these little babies. I was a bit surprised to see that the hornworm was still munching on my tomato plant even with its back so loaded up with cocoons. I read that they stop eating once they are infested with the eggs, nevermind the cocoons. I'm not that bothered about it though. The branch the hornworm was on isn't an important one, it is almost the end of the season, and it is carrying cocoons. Yes, hornworm, keep munching, make sure you are a healthy meal for my baby wasps. I didn't realize what I was looking at, but last night, one of the wasps tried to come into the house. I shooed it away and closed the door.

I know only my fellow stewbies can understand and appreciate my excitement over my hornworm.






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Sjoerd wrote on Fri Sep 05, 2014 8:18 am:

Well Beeker, you sure did have a productive evening. The Zuc plant that you lifted did produce for you. I reckon you were well chuffed with that!

It sounded like it was all over for your acorn squash as well. I hope that the other one at the other end of your garden will produce a bit longer. I think as long as you can keep the mildew off it, it may even go till the end of sept.

...and meid--how kind of you to mention me in your posting--that was such a sweet thing for you to do. Of course you did all the work yourself and therefore deserve all the credit.

I do not have a feel for how much 2-3 pounds of the cherry toms is, but it sounds like a lot. I hope that you save enough for yourself though. I know that sometimes I collect so much for the Food Bank that I forget to save enough for a meal of fresh veg for myself. I manage though.

Those caterp's w/eggs that you showed are very interesting. I know of them but have never seen them w/eggs in tow. The caterp's are rare here.

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tkhooper wrote on Fri Sep 05, 2014 1:26 pm:

Thank you for passing on Sjoerds words of wisdom about the tomato plants. I didn't know that and will do those things as soon as I get home.

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mart wrote on Sat Sep 06, 2014 1:55 am:

Well, That's one way of getting rid of the hornworm. But watch your plants,, there is rarely only one hornworm.

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Beeker wrote on Mon Sep 08, 2014 2:18 am:

Sjoerd,
You have been very helpful. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has learned from you! I checked the conversion, and the weight comes to about a kilogram. I hope that is helpful.

Tkhooper,
yes, Sjoerd is very helpful and has a fantastic website that I recommend you check out.

Mart,
Thank you for the heads-up. I will keep a closer eye on things.

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Sjoerd wrote on Wed Sep 10, 2014 12:17 am:

Thanks. Wow--a kilo. That is a lot of cherry toms!
You did good.

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