Public Enemy #1: The Colorado Potato Beetle

Unchecked,  these guys have are able to strip entire potato plants a couple of days putting the plant into irreversible shock.  Incredibly efficient eaters, the only thing with which they are more industrious is reproducing.

They lay yellow/orange eggs on the underside of leaves.

If given the chance, they hatch into these horrible looking larvae:

The best defense?  Hand picking off the beetles and larvae and squishing the eggs on sight.  At first I was squeemish about it, but after seeing what they did to our potato plants a couple of years ago it was all out war.  There are several insect predators.  Most garden centers sell products containing “Bt”, the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.

The Bt toxin dissolve in the high pH insect gut and become active. The toxins then attack the gut cells of the insect, punching holes in the lining. The Bt spores spills out of the gut and germinate in the insect causing death within a couple days. University of California.

This year, they seem under control.  The potatoes have full leaves and flowers are blooming.  So far, picking has been the best method.

18 days after planting the soy beans are sprouting!

The NY Early Onions that we planted near the peas have not sprouted.  Anxious that we are wasting space if they don’t germinate, we re-planted half of the row with onion plants from Applefield.  Inspired by the sprouted soy beans, we also dug up half of the inactive salsify plant more.  We also planted butternut seeds.

The corn is coming up as well (the little green dots)!

An early start not only avoids the blast of the sun, it affords beautiful views of country side.  In this barn at Pilot Grove Farm live a small flock of spring lambs.

Today we planted habanero peppers (x4), broccoli (x6), marigolds (x6), basil (x4), okra seeds, maxibel french beans, millet, and epazote.

Things are looking happy at the farm.  Our collards in particular are settling well into their new home.

Today we planted shallots, artichoke seedlings, jalepeno seedlings, cayenne seedlings, ancho (poblano) seedlings, tomato plants, a marigold, and Jacob’s cattle beans from Old Sturbridge Village.

The corn has already started sprouting!  I’m wondering if we planted enough.

Also sprouted today, Nelson Carrots, and possibly the White Gem Parsnips.

Unfortunately, the first potato beetles and eggs have shown up on the potatoes.

One of the new crops we are trying is heirloom Salsify from Old Strubridge Village Seed Store.  With a root that supposedly tastes like oyster and a flowering stalk that can be used like asparagus the culinary prospects sounded like a fun adventure and worth the space.  Planted a ten foot row near the leeks.

Also planted soy beans (for edamame).

Our cilantro has been in the ground for about two weeks and it is turning a disturbing shade of purple and the beets a sickly shade of yellow.  Perhaps too much water from all the rain we have been getting?  Most likely not enough nutrients.  Gave them a dose of general fertizizer.  Hopefully they can be rescued.

Completed planting the corn (3 more rows).

Planted the following as seeds:

• 5 Zuchini
• 6 Summer Squash
• 8 Latino Eating Pumpkins (save seeds) (1 hill)
• 6 Howden Pumpkin (2 hills)

Our poor tomatoes.  Left out overnight one night, they suffered a chilly 50°F night which has stunted their growth – probably permanently.  We will plant a few to see how they do, but decided to purchase plants from a couple local farm stands rather than risk it.

It is too early to plant – especially with the weather we have been having.  Tomatoes are flying out of the farm stands so we made our purchases before they were all gone.

From Springdell Farm, Littleton

• 1 Speckled Roma Tomato from

From Applefield Farm

• 4 Brandywine Tomatoes
• 4 Green Zebra Tomatoes
• 4 Italian Plum Tomatoes
• 4 Supersweet 100s Tomatoes
• 4 Cherokee Purple Tomatoes
• 4 Jalepeno Peppers
• 4 Ancho (Poblando) Peppers
• 4 Eggplant

Planted the first batch of Kandy Corn purchased from Agway.  Note to self – one pouch of corn is enough next year.