Garden & Life Update

       Well, it appeared in the beginning that my garden (with the exception of the eggplant) was on its way to producing an bounteous amount of perfect vegetables. Oh my, how things have changed.  Unfortunately my zucchini and yellow summer squash have been infested with multiple types of bugs! It's gross. There were definitely some squash bug action going on and signs of the squash vine borer. But the puzzler to me is there are tons of the Mexican Bean Beetle. From what I've found out about them they attack bean varieties (hence the name bean beetle) but they were all over my zucchini. Take a look at these fellows:

       Pretty ickky looking, huh? Since my zucchini were not salvageable I had to take them out, which really stinks. I had much higher hopes for them, but it is my first time really gardening and there's always next year (unless the world ends in December.. ;p ). Since we are moving the garden next year, hopefully we won't have as hard of a time with the squash borers. Plus, where the current garden is now is where we are planning on putting the chickens, so they'll take care of eating the larva and cocoons that are in the ground from this year's infestation. Here's how a life cycle works, according to The University of Minnesota:
       Beginning in late June or early July, squash vine borer adults emerge from cocoons in the ground. Squash vine borer adults are good fliers for moths and resemble wasps in flight. These moths are unusual because they fly during the day while nearly all other moths fly at night. Soon after emerging, squash vine borers lay eggs singly at the base of susceptible plants. Approximately one week after they are laid, the eggs hatch and the resulting larvae bore into stems to feed. The larvae feed through the center of the stems, blocking the flow of water to the rest of the plant. The larvae feed for four to six weeks, then exit the stems and burrow about one to two inches into the soil to pupate. They remain there until the following summer. There is one generation per year.
Really gross. And a total bummer. Oh well, on to bigger and better things!

       My brother is visiting from Georgia and it's so good to see him. My cousins are also in town for the Flatley Frolics family reunion. The last one was over thirty years ago, so it's kind of a big deal. It will be interesting to meet very extended family and catch up with some we've lost touch with.
      After that, Aislyn and I fly out to Georgia to visit more with my brother and my mom's side of the family. I can't wait to go back home, and Aislyn is ecstatic about flying in a plane. Hopefully that excitement will prevent us from being that family with the screaming child.
      I'm off to prepare for a family dinner at my house. I love hosting little events like this :)

-Kaitlin