Nasturtiums

Squidge, squidge and squidge!

I plant pots of nasturtiums close to the brassicas in the hopes the little (and not so little) blighters will feast on them and not the caulis, broccoli, cabbages and cavolo nero.

Still have to squidge them though or I'd have no nasturtiums left.

I love nasturtiums, thus year had two pots of them .....but, am now cured of wanting them as ( as usual) they are covered in black fly, no more of them for me.

I was planning to try them next year, but not so sure now.
I didn't know they were the prey of the cabbage moth.

Cabbage white is a butterfly fennel and I do try to encourage wildlife in my garden but this is beyond a joke am I imaging that marigolds keep them away or have I dreamt that one up
Squidge with what ?

Here's the recipe my husband uses on our peach trees which suffer from leaf curl caused by insects. He also sprayed it on the tomato p!ants that had white fly. It is effective, and entirely natural.

Organic gardening is about using natural products to produce food that is chemical free. Using garlic water is a great way to maximize crop production without relying on chemicals.

Standard garlic water recipe:
6-cloves of garlic peeled and sliced fine.

2-quarts of tap water or purified water.

1 TBLS natural soap (castile is a good brand)

1 Spritzer bottle.

1 Mason Jar with lid ( recycled jar works fine too)

In a sauce pot, warm water until it begins to steam. Add sliced garlic and maintain temperature for 20 minutes. Allow water to cool, Remove garlic from water and discard (compost.) Add soap to spritzer bottle. Using a funnel add enough water to fill the spritzer bottle almost full but leave at least 1/2 inch of room. Put the lid on the spritzer bottle and shake slightly when ready to use. Spray plants early in the morning or in the evening time after the hottest part of the day has past. Several applications may be needed. Avoid using the spray on hot days as the liquid and sunlight may burn the plants. Extra liquid can be stored in the jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Squidge with what ?

Finger and thumb works nicely for me.

They go a bit green though.

My damson tree has leaf curl, but this sounds like an excellent solution –and I bet it keeps the vampires away, too.

You squidge fat caterpillars between your thumb and forefinger merlotgran oh yuk yuk

Yep!

I use garlic spray as well but caterpillars can survive all manner of organic pest control.

There's nothing more organic than a finger and thumb,

The beauty of the garlic spray is that you can spray as often as you need. It doesn't harm the plants or the soil, just deters the pests.

Bluebelle moth or butterfly . I didn't realise those bonny white butterflies attacked nasturtiums. Which aren't brassicas as far as I know. They must be hungry.
The biggest caterpillar I've ever seen was on a young potato plant. It was about 8cms long, green with variageted spots.
owlcation.com/stem/caterpillar-identification-2

Nasturtiums are members of the brassica family.

Well it’s not the butterflies that eat then it’s the blooming cabbage white caterpillars They re chomping through the leaves faster than the rate of knots I have a whole lot of skeletons ?
I like the garlic spray I have garlic but must get some soap and a spray bottle and get going
You can eat the leaves flowers etc very tasty too bit like watercress to taste

Merlot I didn't know that - thanks .

Its b....y snail eating my nasturtiums. They bury themselves in the soil and hide. Grrr

I have bought a good selection for next year half price. But I have to say that this years have been well and truly nibbled. Oh well live and let live!

They re not letting my leaves live, it’s war I m afraid ?

You can always add chilli powder to garlic spray for some extra ooooomph!!!

You could send the crawlies to me!
Am trying to grow stuff that attracts all insects to help the environment in my own small way.
Spent some time this morning transferring 3 different types of caterpillar from some now leafless nasturtiums to some with beautiful leaves for them to feast on .

You can have mine anytime vonners

Nasturtiums are very tasty in salads. It's very trendy at the moment,
Eat them before the insects do.

Even more tasty when they're garlic and chilli infused.

They are very tasty just like a watercress sort of taste I like them a lot