night time predators

While reading up on pest control last night, I came across a suggestion to "check your plants at night, that's when most of the critters are out."

So around 1am I was out checking.  Turns out that was a great suggestion, because I saw all kinds of things.  Disheartening.  I have:

- black...fleas?
- caterpillars
- cutworms
- some other clear/white looking flea thing

So there I was in my garden gloves, spraying and squishing, at 1:30 in the morning.

Something tells me I am fighting an uphill battle.  And I have a lot more reading to do.

What's eating my eggplants?

Times-Georgian - Ask a Master Gardener What s eating my eggplants

I think this may be what's going on with my baby eggplants. :(  Though a few other plants (mainly peppers) have been disturbed as well, and I also found some caterpillars in the lettuce last week.  ARGH!

Austin Citizen Gardener Resources

LOTS of resources here for Austin area gardeners.

Gardening Resources

fork you!

Someone mentioned this pest deterrent to me today and I thought it was brilliant! I had a box of plastic forks just sitting there for years. The kiddo really enjoyed helping me do it. :)
It occurs to me now that this idea may not be suitable for the long term (chemicals could leech into the soil, perhaps?)  but I'll bet it does the trick for now! I have caught many a cat napping inside my herb planters!

head of cabbage

Harvested the cabbage today to make room for newbies. It is bigger than I thought!  And Beautiful, if I say so myself. :)  Here is my toddler demonstrating:

The dianthus plants have also started to flower. This time of year is so incredible!  Perfect bare-foot in the grass weather. The ground is soft and lush from rains and there's life everywhere. The weather is a perfect 70-to-80-something. I hereby name March my favorite month in Texas. Good thing it's only half way over. 

Spring has definitely sprung!

I bought this daisy plant for my daughter in the fall. It died off but came back to life! It looks a lot bigger than when I took these photos (on the 11th).  There are 2 buds now.  She is SO EXCITED about it growing too.

Gerbera (?) daisy

I planted two tomatoes in the back bed early (February 26).  They are doing well amongst the onions, shallots, garlic, spinach, and lettuces.  I think I'm going to throw a melon or two back there as well.

Rear bed on March 11th

The small, non-raised bed has squash in the center.

Strawberry flower! 

The luscious front bed is spitting out lots of peas and a never-ending kale right now, and that dang cabbage is finally ready!  I planted it (from seed) way back in September.  I read today that spring planted cabbage is ready faster, but something tells me that I'm too late for that!  These guys take up way too much space anyway.  Make room for eggplant! :)

cabbage

Oregon sugar snap peas; planted (from seed) in December-ish

We were out of town this past weekend, and are busy the coming weekend, so I made time to plant these guys on the 8th (3 tomatoes, 2 peppers, 2 eggplants, all grown from seed.)  

Newly planted tomatoes, eggplants, peppers

I was very happy to return and find them NOT dead from the 40 degree cold snap we suddenly got (these photos were all taken after.)  However, I am prepared with several plants still living indoors and in the greenhouse. They're all doing great, too!  I may end up having to pawn some plants off on locals. ;)  Free to a good home soil!

Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, basil