I'm very disappointed that I had to pull all these diseased plants. But this experience is very much an integral part of every gardener's life and we must accept it as it comes. I know I could have injected the vines with BT, but I don't know a lot about that product and to be honest, I really didn't have the time. So I pulled the plants and in the process I discovered 2 little toads living deep within this garden bed. Pretty neat little critters who are most beneficial to have.
One good thing came out of this experience. By pulling all the diseased squash plants, I made lots of room for my green and yellow beans to spread out and have more room to grow. Not a bad trade off I guess :)
Looks like your Squash plants also got the powdery mildew. I get that a lot on cucurbits. I think you did the right thing in digging up the plants to try something else. Sometimes there's no sense in presevering with something that is clearly doomed.
ReplyDeleteI remember having that problem when I had a sunny garden with lots of vegetables. So frustrating--but as you say part of the gardening experience. Looks like you'll have a lot of healthy beans!
ReplyDeleteNice that you are choosing to see the bright side of things Diane. Toads are always such a welcome addition to my garden too. The two that call my place home have become part of the family!
ReplyDeleteHi Mark...you're right. When one knows a plant is diseased, there is an obligation to remove it so it doesn't damage any of the other plants. But still...GRRR!
ReplyDeleteHi Beth...yes indeed, my beans are thriving! I picked the first bunch for dinner last night and they were delicious!
Good morning Cat! As optimistic gardeners, that is the only way to look at things, right?! I checked yesterday and the toads were still living in that bed. It's dark and moist deep inside the foliage...a great escape from this oppressive heat!