Everywhere a squash-squash.
Operation Dill and a Harvest Quandary sparked lots of great suggestions. A quick read of the comments section here and you’ll be up to date.
The onslaught of squash bugs continues unabated, but now I have a plan.
Squash bugs wait in line to audition for the next horror movie
I guess I should specify another plan since the first three failed.
In Plan A I would stealthily plant pumpkins in the garden in front of the house, far away from last year’s buggy fiasco. I would smugly dust my hands together, sit back, and wait for my glorious harvest. Those squash bugs have excellent radar and within a month, they found the plants and started their own little family. Plan B kicked in when I found the offending eggs on the backs of the vines. It required handpicking eggs and bugs from leaves and stems and sending them away on the weekly yard waste collection truck. (I wonder if the trash collector saw me smiling and waving in his rear-view mirror as he drove off with the bugs)? Plan C as in “Can’t a gardener Catch a break here?” kicked in this week. Now that the vines are dying back the plants are setting fruit. It was the next logical stop on their squash destroying journey. Before throwing in the towel, I did what any blogger would do: ask the tribe for advice.
Thank you, tribe!
Plan C in 4 Parts:
1. Harvest my trio of pumpkins. I’m leaving for vacation, and I can’t risk the heartbreak of losing my tiny crop. Following advice, I wiped off the outer shell with a bleach and water solution. I set them to dry and warm in the kitchen window with the green sides facing the sun
Harvested Trio
Pumpkins freshen up (1 part bleach, 8 parts water)
2. Wrap the bottom of a pair of pantyhose around the entire (newly discovered) pumpkin. Post a sign, just in case the crafty bugs can read.
Please don’t judge: It’s possible the bugs can read
3. Tiptoe away from the vine growing on the other side of the deck (nothing to see here folks, move along, move along).
M’s pumpkin vine
4. Cross my fingers, stand on my head, rub my lucky kitty and marvel at the tiny seedling breaking ground nearby.
Just getting started
So, there you have it. I know I’ve been boring you silly with pumpkin problems this week. Here are some other garden updates:
The sunflowers enjoyed a glorious run. Plenty of seeds to feed the birds and the squirrels, with leftovers to plant for next year.
Sunflowers bow their heads as the flowers go to seed
This delicate flower appeared last week. It’s from a butterfly and hummingbird seed mix. I don’t know what it is but it sure is pretty.
A new addition to the triangle garden
Two for one: brush the cat, carpet the fairy garden.
Lindy-Lu gets a nice long brushing and the fairy garden acquires a rug
Another late-season arrival from the seed mix.
Dainty little flowers
Please don’t forget to send in your request for free vintage postage stamps. In case you missed the original post, you can read about it here. Then make your request.
Vintage Postage Stamp Giveaway
Gardening Nirvana 
Last years buggy fiasco? Intriguing. Could there be a link. Our squash aren’t taking off yet but the plants are beginning to spread nicely.
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Have a great holiday, and don’t worry about the garden or the bugs! Christina
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I think that was the best decision Alys. It will be interesting to see if the pantyhose work!. Love the new carpet in the fairy garden!
Have a great holiday! 🙂
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I’ve been looking and looking at your pretty white flower thinking ‘Is it a convolvulus?’ I’m not sure – but it is familiar and I can’t name it – hoping one of your knowledgeable friends pops by and puts me out of my misery! Good luck with the pumpkins, hopefully they will now be safe – and I believe these bugs can read – whether words or feelings I’m not sure, but they sure do know where they aren’t wanted!
Have a fabulous vacation in the far north – I should love to visit BC – I watch movies that are made there just for the scenery 🙂 xoxo
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Thank goodness…there still a lot to enjoy and admire in your beautiful garden! have a great weekend, Johanna
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No worries for their species ever becoming extinct. Geez, that’s an epic battle of wits. You are so kind not to squirt them with anything. Dish soap, vinegar and cyan? I was thinking about MacTac too. The stuff you peel and stick onto your kitchen shelves, But it’d be covered in a day I guess.
Unlike their sorry butts, your little signage is cute 😀 hehe. So is that little birdie water well ! Adorable little thing tucked in beside the newbie. I can’t imagine what your new white flower is but it’s so pretty. It’d be nice if it reseeds itself.
Needless to say my favourite part of your post is a stop in the Fairy Garden reading room. Just adore the new carpet, LOL. How fun. Lindy-Lu softness on their teeny fairy toes must make them giggle. It did me.
Best Wishes for your stamp give-away. I need to link your post over to Wilma at Creartful Dodger, she will love to receive some I’m certain of it. xoxoxo K (3 more sleeps)
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Holy hannah, that’s a lot of disgusting bugs!!! OH MY! I feel for you. I LOVE your sign, LOL that is just hilarious. So weird that you are having such a problem with them. Maybe its just the cycle they are in and the following years will become easier. The harvest is still a good one and really cute!
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For the last three years I have not been able to grow zucchini, yellow long necks or pumpkin. I have been cursed in the squash department–which is really awful as I’m a massive fan of all things Curcubita related. A major disappointment. Glad you got the three beauties at least. I shall continue to purchase other’s surpluses.
Have a lovely vacation, Alys!
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Surprise! I’m catching up. Had to mention I like the new carpet in the fairy garden.
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Hi Marlene. Some days I vacuum up enough cat fur to carpet the entire garden. Now that I know birds will nest with it I’m trying to remember to save it from the cat brush. Thanks for visiting.
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This may be off in left field, but with all of your squash growing, do you have a favored seed making recipe or method. Some cover them in spices and oils and bake. Some boil them in salt water for 10-15 minutes and then bake them as is. Just curious. I’m on a low carb diet for health reasons and am now eating a whole lot of seeds and nuts. No really. A WHOLE lot of seeds and nuts. So I’m trying to get creative.
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Best of luck with the low carb diet. I’m trying to reduce my refined carbs myself. I’ve never done anything fancy with mine, other than a dab of olive oil and salt, then oven roasting. Best of luck.
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