Look out for this Guy!

Yuk and yuk! Above is an insect that is devasting to squash plants, which include pumpkins.
The moth below, lays it's eggs on or near the crown of the plant. They hatch and burrow in. Then the damage starts as they feed their way down a vine. The brown stuff, caterpiller 'poop' seen above can be seen on the outside of the vine, if it looks fresh....the offender is close by. Open up a paper clip and stab it into the vine trying to kill it. If you don't find it right away, the plant, all or part of it may be dead. Usually, if you are paying attention, you should notice 'one' vine dying, that would be your clue. Besure to slit it open and find the insect(s) and kill. If you catch it early and the plant still looks like it can recover use the paperclip stab method.

The moth hides in the day, and flys at night, very sneaky. You may occasionally stir them up if you're working in the plants. If you ever scare up a sleeping moth, try to follow and kill, they usually don't fly that far as they were sleeping, kill kill! If the entire plants looks bad, and the leaves are discolored, it is more likely a 'whole plant' problem, like a virus or disease. FYI, leaves of melon and squash plants often appear withered, hanging in the hot sun. This does not mean they are dried out or dying. Plants are smart, they are hanging their leaves to reduce the leaf tissue exposed to the sun, to reduce their water loss. Who knew they were so functional? If they don't look recovered in the morning, then they maybe do need water!

Zucchini for sale today with green beans, lettuce, and the last of the pea pods and sugar snaps.

See you at the farm!