Unutterably Silly So what are you doing RIGHT NOW?

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by recluse

And the answer is:
Dormant Oil Fruit Tree Spray.
Damn, who needs the Internet?
Most plant care companies make it, like Ortho.
How's that for service?

ok, so what do I use (non poisonous) for cabbage maggots and slugs?

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

ok, so what do I use (non poisonous) for cabbage maggots and slugs?

Slugs, like males of our ...species, love beer and drown in it. Cheap beer or leftovers from a party are a great supply. Jut put some during the evening (in a very shallow container so they can get in) at the base of their favorite plants. Refill the plates regularly... And empty the cadavers...

When you see maggots in your cabbage, it's too late. You need to put some protective netting at early season to prevent the butterflies from laying eggs to the leaves.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

Slugs, like males of our ...species, love beer and drown in it. Cheap beer or leftovers from a party are a great supply. Jut put some during the evening (in a very shallow container so they can get in) at the base of their favorite plants. Refill the plates regularly... And empty the cadavers...

When you see maggots in your cabbage, it's too late. You need to put some protective netting at early season to prevent the butterflies from laying eggs to the leaves.

I don't have any maggots yet. this is the first time I have planted cabbage in several years and don't want them again. so they need to be netted huh?

there's got to be something else besides beer!?

[recluse]

Yvan is right.
For cabbage maggots, adding lime to the soil helps too.
And make sure to bury the edges of the netting.

You don't have to use beer for slugs.
You can salt them individually......

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I don't have any maggots yet. this is the first time I have planted cabbage in several years and don't want them again. so they need to be netted huh?

there's got to be something else besides beer!?

The adult butterfly is easier to control than the larvae.

Beer is the less toxic solution. :groan:

[yvanleterrible]

Netting is cheap at the dollar stores and comes in 6 by 20 bunches(feet). Be sure to set a good distance between the plants and the nets...

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

Not bad, recluse.
You're doing wonders keeping up with the Kindle.

Really!! I'm starting to wonder if he has installed a Dragon Dictation program on his Kindle. I'm amazed at how fast you can type on that thing!

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by recluse

Yvan is right.
For cabbage maggots, adding lime to the soil helps too.
And make sure to bury the edges of the netting.

You don't have to use beer for slugs.
You can salt them individually......

I have found a bunch of baby ones that did a number on my radishes. a lot of them, not all thanks goodness! had a ring munched right around the top of the radish where it peaks out of the soil. so I am seeing them too late to salt them

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

I find the best way to keep slugs and snails away from just about anything is to plant some hostas - certainly in my garden they'll eat those in favour of anything else

(They also climb up and congregate on trees round here - very odd sight to come across a tree trunk covered in snails!)

[recluse]

The lime should help with the slugs too. Like salt, it cuts through their only defense.

[kindlekitten]

maybe I'll just put trails of lime everywhere

[recluse]

I just realized. Lime might be a mistake. Sensitive kitty paw pads. Sorry, kindlekitten.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by recluse

I just realized. Lime might be a mistake. Sensitive kitty paw pads. Sorry, kindlekitten.

not an issue. my two main garden plots right now are raised and surrounded by chicken wire. no kitty access!

[recluse]

That's good.

How's your quad?
Getting around okay?

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by recluse

Yvan is right.
For cabbage maggots, adding lime to the soil helps too.
And make sure to bury the edges of the netting.

You don't have to use beer for slugs.
You can salt them individually......

Yes, NaCl is very good and not toxic to us. The problem is to hunt every slug, one by one. Early in the morning or late evening. Their skin is sensitive to the sun; and salt.
There's an other trick. Poohbear_nc, close your ears. Crushed eggshell is an excellent deterrent when spread tightly around the base of plants. Don't let loose leafs touch the ground.