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Comment by John Malone on January 22, 2014 at 8:22pm

Jan 22, 2014

Peas and lettuce are starting to grow nicely.  They've been a bit slow up until now, but should take off from here.

 

Comment by Jacques L. on January 22, 2014 at 11:23am

@Dr. George

Quick follow up to that.. two words..

SHOP VAC!

Suck those buggers up (keep a little water in at the bottom of the container, then just empty out in the tank. Instant fish food ;)

Comment by Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. on January 22, 2014 at 10:02am

@Matt. Just as a step that I use to supplement the wise use of biological control that Jacques recommends below, I wash as many of the insects off as I can with the low flow from a garden hose BEFORE applying the ladybugs or others. This will remove many aphids and whiteflys from the leaves making it easier for the predator bugs to clean up as many of the remaining pests as possible. No method is 100% so they will come back. So our job is to be eternally vigilant. 

Comment by Jacques L. on January 22, 2014 at 9:34am

@Matt

Most would recommend grabbing a bucket-o-ladybugs via a local nursery. 

I've done this a few time and its amazing what those little ladies can do. The trick is keeping on the plants (they tend to fly away within a few days).

One trick is to drape some shade cloth over your plants after application and leave it on for a little while, they stick around longer and do a great job.

Another option that I'm considering is using Lacewings instead. Hear they are just as effective but like to stick around as long as there is a good source of food and water.

One other idea is to order some Preying Mantis which in my opinion are the coolest bugs on the planet! Sort of like having watch dogs on your garden, plus they cannot fly away! 

Comment by Matt Miskinnis on January 22, 2014 at 8:57am

Just found my bok choy is infested with aphids :(  had to pull one plant.  Trying to save the others

Comment by Stephanie Bader on January 22, 2014 at 7:53am

@Jim, nope, shade cloth was taken down a couple of months ago.

But I did pick some pretty good broccoli last night!

Comment by Jeff S on January 22, 2014 at 6:13am

Kim, I just started with some 2 bulb 40watt florescent fixtures that I had placed very close to the plants. Seemed to make a huge difference. Now that I'm getting my GH more organized and ready to produce some veggies I'm thinking of putting in some 400w HID lights. Put a wood heater in this week but going back to the drawing board on that one. 

Comment by Jim Troyer on January 22, 2014 at 1:30am

Stephanie:  do you still have your shade cloth up?

Comment by Kim Romen on January 21, 2014 at 1:11pm

@ John, Jacques, Jeff, Bob, Jim and Dr. Brooks.  Thanks for your feedback and help.  This group is great!

@ Jeff, do you have lighting on outdoor plants?  If so, do u mind sharing what u have set up?  thx!

Comment by Jeff S on January 20, 2014 at 8:03pm

I'm no farmer lol. All I can tell you is light and temperature. My plants started growing when I added lights but they still aren't producing veggies. But that's OK I'm just using them to cycle the water for now. I'll have the fish stuff organized in a couple of weeks. Then I'll learn more about the plants.

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