The truce with the Harlequin bugs lasted a brief 24 hours. When I decided to accept their presence, I was unaware that my Brussels sprouts were actually starting to make baby sprouts. However, upon tearing out the most distressed plant the other night, I discovered that I do indeed have some sprouties forming. (They're babies! I can't leave them defenseless, right?)
I killed many of the bugs by hand and hoe (I squished them) but, after consulting with, well, basically the Mother of the Community Garden, I decided to take another tactic as well--I sprinkled down my sprouts with cayenne pepper. I will report back on the success of this method; if nothing else, my Brussels sprouts will be pre-seasoned!
Also on the docket this evening were my potatoes. I believe the pot I planted them in this year didn't have enough drainage. The vines got something funky, and never really made flowers. As a result, I didn't get many potatoes, and they're all small. But, eh, aren't baby potatoes what's in style these days?
