[J-Rod]

I was going to do heirloom this year, but I was lazy about ordering. Instead I went with hybrids from the local nursery. They are all doing well, but obviously not going to do me much good as far as ensuring my own sustainance. I like to try some of the strange looking stuff, like these potatoes from Burpee...

[snowshoegal]

Nice garden, JR. Those spuds are cool!

I am trying to grow these from seed this year in my organic beds. They are a type of broccoli. (Heirloom, too!) I love their fractal appearance.





Re aphids: natural neem oil works. It disrupts their reproductive cycle so they cannot breed.

[J-Rod]

Yeah those broccoli look pretty interesting! Let me know how they taste.

Does anyone know how long it takes for a hot pepper spray to have an effect? I gave some of them a misty shot of some Dave's, vinegar and a drop of soap. I figured they would taste that pretty quick, but I guess if their mouth is buried in the stem, it might take some time for them to try another hole, and get lit up.

[jboogy]

That broccoli looks awesome, I saw the blue taters in a burgess catalogue,might be worth a try if only for the reason that when I'm old and lying in my deathbed , I can slowly,solemnly cast my gaze upon each family member in turn and proclaim " I have eaten the fabled blue tater". Has anyone dealt with Burgess? their prices seem almost too good to be true.

[J-Rod]

I have been spraying with a pepper mixture so strong, it's practically mace, with some soap thrown in for good measure. When the wind blows the mist to my face, I lose my breath, like I was just hit with pepper spray.

This is having NO effect on the aphid army invading the plants. I have tried to make a suspended solution of diatomaceous earth, and that always clogs whatever sprayer I use. Does anyone else have any organic tricks I can try? I have been told by many people that soap and peppery stuff works, but these guys just don't seem to care. I am at a loss...

[I_Like_Plants]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('snowshoegal', 'N')ice garden, JR. Those spuds are cool!

I am trying to grow these from seed this year in my organic beds. They are a type of broccoli. (Heirloom, too!) I love their fractal appearance.





Re aphids: natural neem oil works. It disrupts their reproductive cycle so they cannot breed.

[Grifter]

I think the oil sounds like a good option for getting the bugs too. Also garlic is supposed to be good.

Those Romanesco (the brocolli/cauliflower) vegetables take up a lot of space for quite a small harvest. Lovely veg though. Just saying.

[bobaloo]

It may not be local, but while it's still available I know a lot of folks use Neem Oil, sometimes on very valuable plants , and it seems to work well for dealing with bug infestations without harming the plants.

My own theory is to grow some for the bugs and some for me. I overplant and if I get 80 percent production I've got more than I need, have never had a real insect problem. I do have a flock of chickens that roams the yard all around the garden fence all day, so it's pretty tough for them to make their way in without being eaten. I do have certain plants that are aphid magnets, like my kohlrabi seed crop, that are just literally covered with grey goo in places and yet they're healthy and doing fine.