I agree with the others. I doubt that cucumbers would work for deterring pests. Sounds like another one of those things where people read an article about something (in this case about cucumbers having some benefit; possibly against ants), then they re-tell it and it gets misconstrued. Glo407- They are cabbage worms or loopers. Pick them off and squish them if you don't want to spray. Be on the lookout for the eggs as well and when you see those, remove/squish them. The only deterrent is covering your plants with row covers or tulle. BT (Bacillus thuringiensis), which is a type of bacteria, kills them as well. Rodney

Hey Mike.. The day is dark..where's the sun? lol..Wonder if it's going to snow..Has it snowed up east yet, or too early? One thing about snow...it brightens up a home..ever notice? Snow reflects off walls (I only use Semi-Gloss White paint) and other bright objects.. Mike, the things we do for our plants! I've placed aluminum foil behind plants so when we do have sun, it reflects off the foil..lol.. One time, I tried collecting snow for plants..lol...Don't bother. One year, I placed containers outside while it was snowing, blizard-like. The containers collected snow, filled, 'which took forever,' then brought inside to melt..I wanted to cry. There was about 2" of water..lol..All that work for nothing.. Here's another thing I do, but am not recommending. When snow is fresh, I grab a handful and place directly on soil. Most of you reading this are shaking your head, thinking, she's NUTS, lol, but fresh snow, although cold, is pure. The problem doing this is it can chill roots..So, when I add snow, it has to be sunny and early in the morning. Never at night. So far, Thank God, snow has never harmed a plant. Again, I'm NOT telling anyone to do this.. BTW, I don't add snow to cactus and succulents. I agree about caring for our plants like children, with one exception..What's the number one plant killer? OVERWATERING. Sometimes, people kill plants because they're too caring, and continue adding more and more water..Leaves droop, so they think, oh oh it needs more water or fertilizer..then the plant dies.. So, yes, I agree, we need to be alert, (especially when a plant shows signs of distress,) inspect, mist, shower, water when needed, fertilize at the proper time, etc, but never in excess.. BTW, if I'm not mistaken, the number 2 killer is over-fertiliizing. 3 is underwatering. Then there's the INSECT problem..sheesh..in some cases, insects are beyond our control. Especially for those starting out..they go shopping, find a pretty plant, unaware it's loaded with mites, bring home, and a wk later the plant is dead. But never neglect plants either. Heck, I talk and sing to them..lol..you should see my birds when they see me talking, especially singing to a plant..lol..it's hilarious. I found the variegated CC on Ebay..Ebay is the BEST..I wouldnt have half the plants I do if it wasn't for Ebay or the internet in general. Most stores and nurseries here sell the same, old, common plants. When they get something they deem rare, prices are hiked up 100%. Terrible. Oh, I agree, 'playing' with plants is more 'funner' than cooking or cleaning..lol. Oh you do have a MOO??? GReat..Flowers don't last long like you say, similar to tropical Hibiscus. Speaking of which, my Hib tree had several buds and one opened flower..it opened 3 days ago and still going, but starting to look crinkly..I snapped a pic last night, but haven't put it on Flickr yet.. What I'd love to find is a variegated MOO..lol..now that be sometehing..I'd also like to find a variegated Stephanotis..ohhh, wonder if any exist..lol.. Have a wonderful day..hugs, Toni

Seysonn, just as immuno suppressed people will be most susceptible to lets say flu, plants that are grown not in optimum condition, i.e. poor soil practices will get sick earlier and more severe. As it happens pest and insects are going to "yummy" first on stressed plants... and possibly not even notice healthy crops... If the lawn full of "weeds" those weeds have function- they are mining minerals out of the soil because lawn is lacking and needs " support" Chigardenlady, Nature controls by the way of diversity and it is humans who due to lack of knowledge divide soil biology on good and bad guys... they all serve some function. Healthy biology will contain loops of things that eat, multiple, get eaten themselves, serve as food etc. Does my garden have mites? Sure... but the damage is minimal... it is rainy season, does it have slugs? Loads... but look at my hostas Research suggests that heavy infestation with ticks is due to our poor agricultural practices... unfortunately. Spraying fungicides/insecticides/ pesticides indiscriminately destroys far more than bad guys... and yes, it is totally possibly to live without it. Take Netherlands- you would not be able to buy fungicide in the store there- it is forbidden to use... nevermind organic or not... Dave, my biggest problem with community gardens is village tilling practices and need to return plot for the winter, i.e. not being able to cover crop, I have to start every year with destroyed biology to my soil. Minus that I believe it would have been totally possible to create an area where "bad guys" would not feel living comfy. Here is some interesting article Grasshopers

I had a lot of vole damage last year so I'm not sure what's going to happen this year with beets and carrots. I spend a lot of time knocking Colorado potato beetles and larvae into a container of soapy water but a gardening neighbor said if he waits to plant potatoes until after June 1, he never gets any beetles. I'm trying that this year. Chipmunks are a problem with anything grown next to the house. I can spare some cherry tomatoes but I never got a single ground cherry and last year tomatillos were a bust. This year I think I will plant some peppers in that area. I agree with using some covers. I put Agribon over winter squash seedlings and had less trouble with bugs. Last year I didn't use the cover and lost some varieties to cucumber beetles. What was odd was the beetles didn't bother some varieties but feasted on others like spaghetti squash. The kabocha squash did fine. Bears stay away from the yard. The deer have been staying away too since the first summer when they feasted on hosta. I sprayed with an animal repellant but haven't used any for the past couple of years. Early this spring there seemed to be one deer who wanted to check out the garden. Usually they stay in the farmers hayfield and eat his clover. I saw a very productive vegetable table at the Common Ground Fair in Maine. I was surprised at how much they had growing since it wasn't very deep. Some people call them salad tables. Tomatoes and summer squash would have to be grown in deeper containers. Good luck. I know what you mean about getting older.