PLEASE help me--haven't had ANY squash survive in years

I planted squash last year and everything was completely torn up by the squash bugs. Cucumber beetles weren't that much of a problem, but that's probably because the squash bugs were early enough to not leave anything for the cucumber beetles. The only thing I got a good harvest from were my New England Pie pumpkins.

I have a pamphlet on controlling garden pest organically, it's from 1945. I haven't touched it yet, don't want it to disintegrate.

I recommend the Surround. You need a sprayer, but it can be a simple quart-size hand sprayer, unless you are doing a whole field.

I have a gallon size sprayer that has a wand and nozzle. One morning I mixed up the Surround and headed out to the squash patch. I sprayed one leaf and the nozzle clogged. I very patiently took it all apart and sprayed out the pieces with the hose, reassembled and tried again. A few more leaves, it clogged again.

I took it apart, much less patiently, cleaned, reassembled, tried again. By the third clog, I lost patience. I dumped some of the liquid into a tray and in my fury began dunking and flinging the liquid with my hands. By the time I finished, my clothes and hands were totally covered in white clay, and it looked like some sort of crazy paint explosion occurred in the hoop house.

Later, I tried a new quart sprayer that had come free with an online purchase, and it worked like a charm!

buckabucka said:

I recommend the Surround. You need a sprayer, but it can be a simple quart-size hand sprayer, unless you are doing a whole field.

I have a gallon size sprayer that has a wand and nozzle. One morning I mixed up the Surround and headed out to the squash patch. I sprayed one leaf and the nozzle clogged. I very patiently took it all apart and sprayed out the pieces with the hose, reassembled and tried again. A few more leaves, it clogged again.

I took it apart, much less patiently, cleaned, reassembled, tried again. By the third clog, I lost patience. I dumped some of the liquid into a tray and in my fury began dunking and flinging the liquid with my hands. By the time I finished, my clothes and hands were totally covered in white clay, and it looked like some sort of crazy paint explosion occurred in the hoop house.

Later, I tried a new quart sprayer that had come free with an online purchase, and it worked like a charm!

Click to expand...

I wonder if the Koalin works the same as diatomaceous earth particles in terms of deterring insects?
Also my suggestion for a spray would be neem oil, as it is a more friendly option and a systemic.

http://www.theeasygarden.com/threads/a-squash-as-big-as-a-small-boy.14128/#post-157634
I love this squash. It tastes differently in all stages. Early they tastes much like summer squash and turn very sweet as a winter keeper. I had no bug problems. They were planted by seed just a little later than normal. I think timing is important.

Hal said:

I wonder if the Koalin works the same as diatomaceous earth particles in terms of deterring insects?
Also my suggestion for a spray would be neem oil, as it is a more friendly option and a systemic.

Click to expand...

Kaolin (Surround) does nothing more than cover the plant with the same type of clay potters use. It is easily washed off just as soil is washed off. Insects looking for green plants pass by the grey material and any trying to eat past the taste of clay are quickly dissuaded.

Diatomaceous Earth is made of particles of crushed shells. Not a danger to pets, the minute shell pieces are sharp like shattered glass that work by cutting the tender undersides of insects.

Smart Red said:

Kaolin (Surround) does nothing more than cover the plant with the same type of clay potters use. It is easily washed off just as soil is washed off. Insects looking for green plants pass by the grey material and any trying to eat past the taste of clay are quickly dissuaded.

Diatomaceous Earth is made of particles of crushed shells. Not a danger to pets, the minute shell pieces are sharp like shattered glass that work by cutting the tender undersides of insects.

Click to expand...

Thank you Smart Red, Diatomaceous Earth I am familiar and love but with but Koalin I had never used it outside pottery.

I'm told here constantly that sven is the answer! NO WAY!

Well, this is what I found. I had to let a lot go because the borers would get EVERYTHING.

For aphids and the moths that lay the eggs for the borers, I do sprinkle with DE when I can. Only works a little bit, but some is better then nothing. I've had to let a bunch of varieties go. What I've found is late planting fast maturing pumpkins covered until they flower, then spread with DE I may get 1 or 2 pumpkins before the succomb. THe summer squash, same thing, cover until they bloom, cover with DE around the leaves and base only. I will pick maybe 4 or 5 before the succomb to the vine borers. But the good news, we starting growing the cushew variety winter squash last year, the vine borers got them... but they didn't care! They just kept on going, they are totally not bothered by them and we got 2-3 squash fully ripe per vine. We got 9 beautiful squash, perfect for baking and replacing pumpkin in recipes and we're THRILLED. So that is the best advice I can give without you going to chemicals.

I wish you luck.

I would recommend crop rotation for you. And grow vine crops on a support. Cover the vines every few feet to force new root growth to keep the end of the vines growing. I really think also that consecutive planting is of huge importance. For me it seems that timing is the big issue. That changes every season but for me the slightly later plantings are most successful.

WOW! MORE great ideas!! Carol, you definitely should get some chickens. Go to the sister site, BackYardChickens and learn about them. Most people do very well for eggs with 3-4 layers. I only have 5 layers right now, but the rest of my pullets will start laying next month. RIGHT NOW, I get 2-5 eggs/day. Most towns that are zoned for chickens will let you keep a few hens.
Marshallsmyth, I have used diatomatious earth before, and I can get it locally. I don't have a slug problem, but I know it beats them, too.
To be honest, if I could get rid of my infestation THIS YEAR, I'd be happy, but I would truly love to be able to grow squash again.

catjac1975 said:

http://www.theeasygarden.com/threads/a-squash-as-big-as-a-small-boy.14128/#post-157634
I love this squash. It tastes differently in all stages. Early they tastes much like summer squash and turn very sweet as a winter keeper. I had no bug problems. They were planted by seed just a little later than normal. I think timing is important.

Click to expand...

Thanks for posting that Catjac! I wanted ducks4you to see the picture of that super tall squash with your precious grandsons! Were you able to let any of the Tromboncinos go to full maturity for winter squash?

Ducks4you, I start my squash indoors on the breakfast table under 4' florescent shop lights, instead of planting seed directly in the garden. It gives me a little bit of a jump start before the squash borers destroy them.