Backyard Garden Update Part 2
Before we got our garden going I heard this piece of garden knowledge: it usually take up to three years for the pests to ignore you.
It’s been a good thing to keep in mind as I’ve combated the animals and bugs in our yard 😬.
First up: Mexican Bean Beetles.
They haven’t been a huge issue, mostly just eating the leaves of my squash leaves, and we’ve only had one or two but I’d rather they weren’t there at all! I am worried that I saw a TON of their eggs on my green bean vines 🤮. Took the time to squish as many as I could after taking that picture.
Second up: Aphids.
A big sign of aphids is ants. Ants “milk” aphids and will protect them from pests making them even harder to get rid of. There are a couple of ways to go about that, one of which being sprinkling diatomaceous earth. You do have to be careful using DE because this can also harm pollinators. My husband went a little crazy with the DE on my cucumbers (I think he feared the aphids coming over to his precious watermelon) and actually prevented the leaves from being able to photosynthesize by covering the leaves 😬. I thought they were dead but a couple of weeks ago I saw some green coming back and now have two cucumber plants really trying to revive themselves!
Third: Rabbits…
We’ve seen a couple of nests hidden in the taller grass in our yard and even had to rescue one after “The Mower Incident”. I have a sneaking suspicion, however, that our Peter Rabbit is the baby bunny we’d nursed all grown up and repaying our kindness 😔. Several of my plants have very suddenly been missing several leaves and every time I would approach the tomato patch it would scurry out from under the plants. I figured it was trying to make a home in its hidy-hole so I put our plastic owl there as a deterrent and so far it’s worked. My bell peppers really took a hit because of the rabbit and while one is really puny and not doing too well, the other is, like the cucumbers, really trying to make a come back! Pretty sure I’m not getting any green beans though 🥲.
Not pictured us my last garden enemy: Squirrels.
These were a big nuisance especially after we had just planted because they were after all of the seeds. There were many moments of running out my back door yelling after then to get away 😅. But once everything had grown and they realized the seeds they wanted were gone, they stopped digging things up.
We’ve gotten a little bit of bounty so far, mostly just squash and tomatoes, but the season isn’t over yet! Hopefully we get some peppers and cucumbers before our first cold snap!
#backyardgarden #gardenproblems #pests #gardenpests #freshproduce #gardening #gardenprogress
Gardening is such a rewarding journey, but let's be real, it often feels like a constant battle against nature's tiny adversaries! After my last garden update, I wanted to share some more practical tips I've picked up, especially since so many of you asked about managing common backyard pests like the ones I've faced. My experience with Mexican Bean Beetles taught me that while squishing eggs is satisfying, it's just one part of the solution. Beyond manual removal, I've found success with neem oil, an organic pesticide that disrupts their feeding and reproduction cycles. Applying it early in the season can significantly reduce their numbers. Also, companion planting can help! Marigolds and radishes are said to deter them, and while I haven't tried this extensively yet, it's next on my list for protecting my precious green bean plants. Aphids are another persistent nuisance, and those yellowish-green aphids can take over so quickly! As I mentioned, diatomaceous earth (DE) can be effective, but my husband's enthusiastic application taught me a lesson: less is more, and avoid covering the entire leaf surface. The goal is to dust it lightly on the stems and undersides of leaves where aphids congregate, making sure not to suffocate the plant or harm beneficial insects. I've also had good luck with a simple homemade insecticidal soap spray (a few drops of dish soap in water) applied directly to the affected areas. Introducing natural predators like ladybugs is another fantastic organic method. They absolutely love feasting on aphids and can quickly bring an infestation under control. Then there are the garden critters like rabbits and squirrels. My little plastic owl has been a surprising hero in deterring the rabbit that was munching on my bell pepper plant and green bean plants. A trick I learned is to move the owl every few days so the rabbits don't get used to its presence. For more persistent bunnies, low fencing (at least 2 feet high and buried a few inches deep) around vulnerable plants like my damaged cucumber plant leaves can be a game-changer. Squirrels, those cheeky little diggers, were after my seeds. For them, physical barriers over newly planted areas helped, and some gardeners swear by sprinkling cayenne pepper or using motion-activated sprinklers. While I haven't tried the sprinklers, a little hot pepper spray on plant leaves (reapplied after rain) has been a good deterrent for smaller nibblers. Overall, the biggest tip I can offer is consistent vigilance. Regularly inspecting your plants, especially the undersides of leaves and new growth, allows you to catch problems early before they become overwhelming. Keeping plants healthy and well-fed also helps them naturally resist pests. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and every season brings new lessons. Don't give up on your garden; with a little persistence and the right tips, you can absolutely turn those pest battles into garden triumphs!
I love it!😍 I’ve always wanted to garden but every plant I touch seems to die a slow death as I get them and try my best to keep alive 😭 my poor lucky bamboo is crying for help and I have no idea what to do