I'm doing daily inspections and now I"m seeing some little white rice like shaped bugs and also tonight I saw some red and black little bugs with long legs...WHEN DOES THE MADNESS STOP? I'm crunching red eggs, squishing stink bugs and now these little white rice monsters...I know if they are on my plants they aint on a picnic. Are these the squash bug babies? Well as far as where to poke, I was thinking I could get down there with a stethoscope or maybe a flashlight? looking for dense areas? I hope I didnt quit cutting too soon...I only saw ONE worm in the main where the chewed up material was (from where it entered) Hey, I"m also very interested in understanding the "cover material" what do you use? where do you get it? how exactly does it work (besides the obvious by keeping the moth off the plants) is it raised above the plants? and if so do you drape it over stakes or something? Do you cover your whole garden? or just specific plants? I need to consider this, as I've just gotten all my new yellow squash seedlings ready and they will be ready to plant soon. Will the cover work any better in a raised bed?

I wasn't going to post because I figured the local product isn't available in the US but the ad just came on tv. I only see it every few weeks so for it to come on at the very moment I'm reading this thread is quite amusing. Apparently it IS exported but I don't think to the US. Anyway it's quite an interesting site even if you buy your seaweed extract elsewhere. They've been manufacturing it since the 70's and it's easy to find in nurseries and hardware stores here in Australia. It's actually described as a dynamic growth stimulant and plant tonic rather than a fertiliser. "Scientific trials and field observations over many years have proven its value as a means of promoting healthy vigorous growth in plants, improving resistance to insect and fungal attack, and reducing the symptoms of stress from excessive heat, frost damage and transplanting." http://www.seasol.com.au/

I usually push up from the bottom of the cell, and the dirt/rootball pops up- and yes, grab the plant by a leaf before you grab the stem. bruise a leaf, no big deal. bruise the stem- can kill the plant. if they's wedged in there, cut them out with an old pair of scissors- any roots you trim will just put out fresh new rootlets from that point- I have gotten into the habit of adding a bit of rooting hormone to the 'compost tea' (barnyard brand compost tea bags and like $3 a box, and a great investment) that I water in my new plants with- it encourages new roots to grow out into the surrounding soil.

Hello Labland, When I use Seaweed Extract on my Plumies, I use one capful to one gallon of water. Check the directions on the label and it will probably give you the correct dilution. Your trees will enjoy the extract...mine have been enjoying seaweed all summer long!!! I hope you are having a wonderful "first day of Autumn" It's really sad to see the summer end...although we have been having temps into the low 90's here in Virginia Beach!! Next week, temps will start to level off down to the low eighties and settle into the mid seventies...quite a change from this weekend!!! Have a great weekend everybody!!! Laura in VB