Gardening

tosh

(4,423 posts)

7. I am not so new to gardening, but quite new

Thu Mar 1, 2018, 05:25 PM

Mar 2018

to gardening in the wild so I have a lot to learn!

First year out here, was away for a few days and returned to find my tomato plants completely defoliated! So last year I used the magic light every other night and must have "disposed of" 120-150 hornworms from my 8 plants over the growing season.

I just discovered, via today's Gardenista email, that hornworms are also attracted to Dill. I'm going to try planting some dill on the perimeter of my veg. garden and see what happens.

I'm thinking that the braconid wasps will kill other caterpillars, too?? So maybe I don't really want to attract them...

And yes, I have seen the sphinx moth and she is really beautiful!

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Don't destroy tomato hornworms, unless they are a real problem. read below why! [View all] bluestarone Feb 2018 OP

I don't touch 'em because I get the braconid wasp eggs (cocoons) on them pdq Botany Feb 2018 #1

yuck never seen that!! bluestarone Feb 2018 #2

Lucky you! tosh Feb 2018 #3

plant native plants and let a hornworm stick around for a little bit. Botany Feb 2018 #4

I am not so new to gardening, but quite new tosh Mar 2018 #7

Get Doug Tallamy's bringing nature home and the Xerces Society Attracking Native Pollinators Botany Mar 2018 #8

Thanks! tosh Mar 2018 #9

Possum Haw viburnum ...... plant 2 .... you'll get more fruit Botany Mar 2018 #10

I break off the branch of the tomato plant and toss the entire thing into the hedgerow. femmocrat Feb 2018 #5

I do the same Bayard Mar 2018 #11

watch one on youtube here bluestarone Feb 2018 #6

I have seen these in the flowers Bayard Mar 2018 #12