Written by Jackie Panek, Annuals & Perennials Manager
Now that summer is in full swing, the pests have started to make an appearance!
Our customers have reported the usual suspects: bunnies, beetles, deer, and dryness. We've gotten a little rain recently, but not enough to make up for the hot and humid weather we've all been living with this season.
Luckily at Wolf Hill, we haven't had much issue with powdery mildew on plants, and I am only noticing beetle damage on a few items such as perennial Hibiscus and Roses.
At Wolf Hill, we carry everything you need to fend off the damaging insects and critters of the summer season.
We have been selling lots of beetle bag traps, Neem Oil, and Captain Jack's Deadbug Brew. Please keep in mind when applying any sort of insecticide, even non-synthetic/organic, to try to apply early in the morning or early evening when the beneficial pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds aren't as active. This will help reduce the stress on those populations that we are all so eager to attract and protect!
I am now knocking on wood because I am slightly superstitious and feel very fortunate to have never dealt with Tomato Hornworms. I was at a friend's house and they wondered what was going on with their once full and lush tomato bushes. Upon inspection, we saw that the top third of each bush had been decimated by big, fat, well-fed tomato hornworms. These pests are nightmarish in their appearance and their efficiency at defoliating tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes.
Although they grow up to four inches rather quickly, tomato hornworms may be difficult to spot because their color blends in so well with their host plant of choice, and they usually hang out on the underside of leaves.
The best way to prevent tomato hornworm damage on your tomatoes is to pick them off and drop them in a little tub of soapy water. Unfortunately, this can be pretty time-consuming but oddly rewarding. We used our snips to cut the occupied leaf off and drop it in a Ziplock Tupperware of soapy water.
I was curious about other methods of prevention, and my favorite tip I read was to put a small bird feeder with seed in among the tomato plants to attract birds to the area to prey on hornworms. I don't usually like to feed the birds during the summer months as I think it's more natural for them to eat the creepy crawly, protein-rich insects in the garden. However, if you use a small can or bowl on a stake or shepherd's hook near tomato cages, the idea is the birds will stand on the tomato cages and quickly notice the young hornworms and have a nice lunch.
You may also use Bt and insecticidal soap as a spray to fend off the hornworms at no risk to the bees.
I hope very much that you don't need any of this information and that your gardens are thriving, pest-free! We always welcome any questions or garden concerns you may be having. Please visit us in-store, email your questions, or use the new handy text line. Happy gardening!
