aphids Archives - Eden Condensed

Tag: aphids

5 Fabulous Facts About Ladybugs (Shhhh, they’re not really even bugs!)

Posted on February 14, 2018 by

Angela Price Posted in insects in the garden — No Comments ↓

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Ladybugs remind me of little Valentine hearts scurrying around plants. But, instead of shooting arrows of love, they prefer to suck up nasty aphids to bring love to our gardens.

Here are some fabulous and fascinating facts about ladybugs, a popular garden carnivore:

Funny thing is, ladybugs aren’t even bugs. They’re beetles! They belong to the order of Coleoptera. The word Coleoptera comes from 2 Greek words: “koleos”meaning sheath and “ptera” meaning wings. They are often referred to as lady beetles, and in German, they are called Marienkäfers, or Mary’s beetles (referring the Virgin Mary). There are about 5,000 species of ladybugs in the world and not all of them are red with black spots. They range in color from yellow to orange to brown. Some are plain; some have stripes or zig-zags; and some have the iconic spots. A ladybug can eat as many as 5,000 aphids in a lifetime. Talk about beneficial insect Hall of Fame! They like a little variety too and are…

I’m So Happy With You – Sunflowers

Posted on March 29, 2016 by

edmin Posted in Companion Planting, Corn, Cucumbers, insects in the garden, Sunflowers, vegetable garden — 4 Comments ↓

Companion Planting Sunflowers With Corn And Cucumbers

One in an occasional series on Companion Planting.

Did you know that plants can have friends in the garden?

Planting certain plants together can benefit the growth and development of the plants, deter pests, and even improve the flavor of the edible parts of the plants.

Companion Planting With Easy To Grow Sunflowers

Today’s planting companion is the happy sunflower (Helianthus). There are actually 70 different species of sunflowers, and all except 3 grow in North America. From the fuzzy ‘teddy bear’ sunflower to the ‘Russian mammoth’, there is a sunflower to suit every garden.

Sunflowers are easy to grow too. Plant seeds 10-30″ apart depending on the variety in rich soil to a depth of 3/4″. Planting should take place in the spring after the last frost. Plant in full sun and water well. Soil should be kept moist.

Plant With Cucumbers & Corn For Increased Yield & Insect Control

Sunflowers get along great with cucumbers and corn. Corn and cucumber yield can be increased with sunflowers as companions. Sunflowers repel cucumber beetles and aphids, and they attract beneficial insects like bees and praying mantises.

Have you planted sunflowers?

Let me know…

Help Me! Help My Garden! #3 Bugs and Berries

Posted on April 3, 2015 by

edmin Posted in farm, flower gardens, food, garden, garden help, garden lifestyle, insects in the garden, Patio gardens, Uncategorized — No Comments ↓

Today we tackle aphids, and planting strawberries and blueberries.

Bugs on my roses! Q: My roses are starting to bud, and I can’t wait to see them bloom, but now the buds are covered with tiny bugs. What are they, and how to I get rid of them?

A: I am afraid your roses have aphids on them. The tender buds are these insects’ favorite treats, and if left untreated, they will suck the life out of the buds. These soft bodied insects are usually pale green or brown and will suck the sap from almost any plant. There are several non-chemical/less toxic methods to controlling them.

A good blast with a hose will easily knock them off the plants. Do this in the early morning so the leaves will have time to dry. You will need to repeat this often. Lady bugs LOVE to eat aphids. Most nursery centers sell little containers of lady bugs. Sprinkle them on the affected plants at dusk (so they don’t fly away), and let them enjoy the buffet. Be warned though, the containers hold hundreds of lady bugs, so if you have a small yard, share some with a neighbor. Insecticidal soap spray.…

Tag: aphids

5 Fabulous Facts About Ladybugs (Shhhh, they’re not really even bugs!)

I’m So Happy With You – Sunflowers

Help Me! Help My Garden! #3 Bugs and Berries

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