Dear Journal: Tell the slugs that this round’s on me
Published 7:00 pm Friday, May 28, 2021
Dear Journal:
Something is eating my vegetables, and it’s not me. Last year, my stay-at-home Covid project was starting a victory garden. It was healthy, calming, dare I say victorious. Some things did better than others, like the radishes, which were so easy to grow! But that was last year. This year, something is eating them as soon as they come up, right down to the nubs.
What good is a vegetable garden if it can’t produce vegetables? So, I’m trying some things. I’ve already sprayed a home-made soapy neem oil concoction; I’ve even tried adding mint oil and hot pepper-garlic-onion tea. No dice. The sprouts are still getting munched.
A list of possible suspects:
– Bright green caterpillars that turn into pretty white butterflies. These guys eat everything and are nearly invisible on green leaves. They remind me of the famous kids’ book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and I’m sad to learn its author just died at age 91. RIP Eric Carle.
– Roly-poly potato bugs, my kids’ other favorite. If I’m going to kill these guys, I’ve got to do it in secret. Shhh. Also, I’m not sure how. They wear armor after all.
– Aphids. Hot pepper tea for these sap suckers. (Apparently aphidologists don’t like calling them sap suckers. To all the aphidologists out there: my bad.)
– Itty bitty black jumpies — No shell, so they don’t appear to be a beetle. Maybe springtails? I’m not sure, I just noticed them they’re so tiny, but I’ve sprayed them with the neem and soap spray, so fingers crossed.
– And slugs. Of all the known pests in my garden, I think the sluggos are the culprit. Small, boring grey ones, and larger brown ones wearing an orange, frilly skirt. The kids get a kick out of watching them crawl around mom’s hand but won’t touch ‘em. I peeled off at least six this morning because they laugh at neem oil.
I’m trying powdery diatomaceous earth, because I already had some. This is a great use for masks, since no one wants this stuff in their lungs. But it’s supposed to stay dry. In springtime in the Northwest? Not likely.
So, my current choice is between an iron phosphate slug bait (supposed to be okay for organic gardens) and beer traps, which I know to be gross, but effective. I am not a fan of cheap beer, but slugs are! All the drunken sluggos are gonna party tonight.
Song of the day: Friends in Low Places, Garth Brooks
Karen Harris Tully is a novelist living in Raymond with her husband and two small children. She writes sci-fi/fantasy for teens and adults and can be found at www.karenharristully.com.
