New England ~ January 2014

I was thinking of investing in some Neem oil myself this year.  They say its safe for food crops.

CapeC.....Have you tried wrapping the bottom of the zukes with panty hose?  I tried that last year and nary a SVB in my plants.  Or maybe I was just lucky.  I only had one zuke and one summer squash.
You have to dig down below the soil line a bit and wrap the hose around the base and a bit lower and pin close with straight pins.  Make sure the hose is above and below the soil line somewhat.  The hose will stretch so it doesn't strangle your zuke.

There's a couple of vids on youtube on the subject.  Sorry, I didn't take a video nor pics.  Forgot.

I'm desperate about the SVBs for this summer. I was thinking of tenting with agribon. Would that do it?

Otherwise, I'm searching utube for the pantyhose method.

I found this, only his plants are big by the time he wraps them. I have a feeling mine would already be attacked by then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhYmZ_MoZO0

Here's the video that showed me the panty hose technique:



An added bonus is how to pollinate by hand at the end of the video.

Huh. That's so interesting, QB. I'll try it. Thanks. And I'll try TP rolls, too.

I wonder why the moth doesn't just lay it's eggs above the barrier? And I wonder if I use a paper cup or TP roll if the moth will crawl down inside it to lay the eggs?

Hose may be the only safe way to go, but I do so like easy better.   

CC

I'm listening again to further reports this morning of the severity of the drought in the west and the impact it will have on produce, including organic produce. Sounds like it will be more important than ever for our gardens to succeed here.

Anyone up for some Guerrilla Gardening this summer?

   

Had to look that one up.

NHGardener wrote:I'm listening again to further reports this morning of the severity of the drought in the west and the impact it will have on produce, including organic produce. Sounds like it will be more important than ever for our gardens to succeed here.

I've been thinking about that too. We had a very hot and rainless summer out here in Southern Oregon, and a dry fall and, so far, winter, too. Supposedly record-breakingly dry. People are starting to worry how their wells will be doing in the coming year.

110s day until last frost.  Meanwhile, it's going to be balmy in the 20*s today, though we will see some snow.

This morning I will be attending a free beekeeping seminar at one of our local Agway stores and hopefully I will be registering some folks for our 2014 bee school.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MonadnockbeekeepersClub/posts

I'll probably do some seed shopping while I am there. 

Wow camprn, I am super impressed with your group's website! I wish it were closer, I would so visit. I don't believe we have anyone who is willing to work on our website, maybe I should learn how to do it and volunteer. It's important!

February is indoor seeding time!!!! Everyone have their calendars out? I am going to try to be ORGANIZED this year, so I'm going to try to post as I go and I hope everyone else does too. I don't know why but I get panic stricken when it gets close, everything has a different date and you don't want to miss anything or, conversely, plant things too early. I remember I had 1 to 2 foot pea plants growing in my bedroom last spring... As soon as the snow melts I am also planning to build some lasagna gardening beds (sheet mulching). But, I also want to make 2 new 4' x 8' boxes to put double deckers for the potato and onion beds, and then those will have to be filled. Filling takes a lot of work too, it's amazing how much material you need to fill, well, this would technically be four 4'x4' boxes. 

(And then there's the 2 new beehives that have to be assembled, including 100 frames, but that's for a different thread...    )

Thanks NHG, that is the Google+ page that I started last year to allow online interaction with the students. I made it public after the class was over.
I have to get some slimming clothing for the next class.

Here is our regular website. http://www.monadnockbeekeepers.com/

Better get busy with those hives before sowing begins. I have 50 frames to assemble and cross wire.

I have only one hive left still alive. Stupid mites and viruses. grrr...

 
Oh yes, I followed the link to the bee club's website. I don't think our club's website is actively maintained. I really like the Teach Bees 2014 name too.

Yikes on the 1 hive. I used quilt boxes for the first time this winter and I'm thinking those are making a difference, plus I strapped styrofoam to 3 sides (not south side), AND I didn't take any honey, and I've kept sugar & pollen patties in there. So far on the miraculous days when it's been fairly warm, they are both still  alive.

It was the mites that did mine in. Next summer I will treat during the dearth.

I'm glad your girls are still going.

I put a pound of fondant on my last hive last week. I will put pollen patty on in a few weeks and keep the fingers crossed.

camprn - I'm leaving you a message on the bee thread.