Still hot and dry in the garden! The young gardeners wore hats, drank lots of water and worked hard weeding and watering their plots. We've lost more squash to the squash vine borer, but the good news is our smart gardeners are experts at recognizing and controlling pests. We harvested okra, peppers and tomatoes, and saw our first cucumber, about 4" long.
Miss Kirsten taught the gardeners about plant problems and diseases. She showed plants that had evidence of insect damage such as honeydew and tracks from leaf miner insects. Several plants had damage from fungus and bacteria. We also saw a plant with a viral infection that had puckered and distorted leaves. Miss Kirsten explained the disease triangle, and the three things needed for disease: (1) a pathogen such as an insect, bacteria, fungus or virus, (2) a host, and (3) an environment that allows disease to take hold.
Miss Kirsten brought two examples of "good bugs" - a praying mantis and three bags of lady beetles. The gardeners had fun releasing them in the garden. The praying mantis was glad to get out of his jar and entertained the gardeners. The lady beetles quickly exited their mesh bags. Trevor really enjoyed having them climb up his arms and said they tickled.
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