just another mystery. Aphids. A LOT of them. Where do they come from?, out of the blue???? I don't see aphids any where else. Not in the Forest anywhere. Not on any of the other Wall Garden plant people, the cauliflower, the brocolli, Aztec Spinach, none of those Leafy beings. But the Kale. Oh, they seem to love the Kale. Which is really ok because there is a lot of it and they can be washed off, easily and we can
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So, okay. Aphids love kale.
You can make an organic spray to get rid of aphids if you think this is something you might want to do. Take some tomato leaves and soak overnight in 4 cups water to make a tomato “tea” Strain out the leaves and add 2 teaspoons of dish soap or any mild soap. Spray on the kale leaves.
I will assume you won’t want to spray them. Someone else reading this might want to–who knows.
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one of the most amazing things about aphids is they are females who reproduces by parthenogenesis when they find a good food source, when the plant gets too crowded they just make one with wings to fly to the next plant and then to survive winter clones a male to reproduce by eggs! Just hosing them off when you’re watering works to reduce the infestation
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They may have come in the soil from planting or they are simply in your soil. Once aphids are knocked off a plant, they rarely climb back on. Attract beneficial insects: Plant flowers, such as marigolds, calendula, sunflower, daisy, alyssum, or dill nearby to attract beneficial insects that attack and kill aphids. Ladybugs are especially fond of aphids….LOOK HERE http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7404.html
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Our herbs get eaten by a succession of caterpillar critters … each in its own time, the same time every year. Often they are eaten right down to the ground … then magically regrow once the caterpillars move on to the next life stage. Fortunately for us, aphids are not counted among them. But I did see a tiny praying mantis yesterday and thought of you.
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Like rabbits, bugs love our garden. Bob’s philosophy, after years
of this, is to leave one plant for the critters and used organic
methods to protect the others. Diluted dawn soap is good if it’s
not raining daily. Good on you for sharing!
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I was told that aphids will infest plants that are not getting enough water. I don’t even remember where or who said that. Something about the wilt sends off pheromones that attract the aphids. At 107 degrees I would definitely be wilted!
I know worrying is like a rocking chair- it gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere – (how’s that for old New England isms) but I can’t help but worry about the fires. I know you are doing what needs to be done. How do you stay alerted to what is happening? How do you evacuate with the goats? Where do you go? If I’m going to worry effectively I need details. I was surprised to see how close to Orville dam you are.
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I solved the issue with aphids by planting a hop vine…you can, of course harvest and use the buds for herbal sleep pillows or making beer, but they attract lady bugs by the hundreds and those lady bugs take care of the aphids for me every year. Seven years here now and not one problem with aphids…my neighbor got some hops from me three years ago and her aphid problem also disappeared. Mother Nature at work in the gardens.
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YES, for sure. Knowledge is the key. And in the moment, we won’t. But that doesn’t preclude a time when we will NEED to. Thank you and love….
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LOVE!!! learning this!!!! Yay for aphids….makes me even more willing to share
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yes. Ladybugs. There are some. Need more.
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oh Lordy….i have not seen a praying mantis yet….
i will pray for a praying mantis
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no…no rain. We gather experience and advice in a notebook.
This goes in.
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What is truly amazing to me is that NOTHING HAS WILTED…nothing. How can this be? but nothing. SUN and heat…all day, but when i go down to give water,
nothing is wilted.
?????????????????????????????????
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love this….we will try it, the hop vine. And as above
commented, more lady bugs would be so welcome.
Love andLove and Loveto you
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Hop vines for aphids and flowers stuffed into sleep pillows. I love the drift of information here. We have hop flowers tangled up above the grapes. We don’t do beer, but sleep pillows sounds a treat!
I feel a bit of an eavesdrop, having found my way via Myth & Moor. Thank you so much for the lovely company.
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o…no….no eavesdrop! PLEASE feel welcome! Come, sit
with Us. I looked at your Pages and it’s a Wonder Land!
I will spend days
Thank you So much for coming, leaving word and
am beyond curious how you found your way via Myth & Moor???
love, Us
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windthread 
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