From OISAT (GW wouldn't accept link): "Treat the seedbed with wood ash or a mixture of wood ash and chalk*... Apply wood ash directly around the stems of young seedlings and after transplanting seedlings. The ash discourages cutworms from burrowing into the soil around the seedlings." "For large infestations check the pH of the soil, acidity is said to encourage cutworms. Add lime, this deters the moth from laying eggs on the soil and reduces the egg fertility." [*If your soil pH is good -- 6.5 is just about perfect--, forget the lime and use gypsum (calcium sulfate). Gypsum will add calcium and some sulfur, but it is NOT lime and won't raise your pH.] Regarding the maggots... What grew in those spots last year? Could there be crop residue, eggs of something were laid last year, and now they're hatching out? Angiemomma4 did make a good suggestion: put some kitchen waste in a clear container, add some of the maggots, tie a fabric cover over it to confine them, and grow them up a bit to see what you've got. If it's getting warm and they were near the surface, there is the possibility that they are Black Soldier Flies, and they won't harm your plants, they just eat waste. Sue

Sometimes this is the only way! examples that come to mind are ginger and chayote squash. Not sure how you would get them started other than getting the roots and the fruit from the supermarket (I prefer ethnic stores). Same thing if you were going to try growing galangal or turmeric roots. Dave is right on the possibility of hybrids. I have started many things from the market but I have had mixed results. Lately I have just been purchasing seeds from known sources as far as peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, squash, beans, potatoes and so on. However, I have had good results for lima beans (bush) and rocotto/manzano pepper seeds, both from the market. I also had OK results growing the little purple peruvian potatoes from Trader Joes. With garlic and onions, if they sprout I plant them (I have lots of roses for them).

The shade garden. Such as it is, at the moment.

My mother separates mixed frozen veggies she gets on sale. Dad does not like the 'blends'. She has a table next to the freezer in the breezeway shed and takes a bowl with her and takes out a bowl full of frozen and takes what she wants...they don't eat much because they eat small snack meals. He likes his roasted sweet potatoes with cauliflower rice. Broccoli with a small steak. The rest in soups. In their late 80's now they don't garden much but i gave them seeds for a compact variety of zucchini and some mixed micro salad greens they have planted and are very happy with that. I did not see anything trite, self-centered or food snobby discussing frozen peas...many on a cooking food forum are just putting out there what they do and hope for some ideas for their pantry/freezer. Initially i did not see a mention of poverty or the elderly. Just a sharing of a good basic freezer stock. I stock baby peas and baby limas in the winter. Frozen spinach is just a good bargain any time of the year. Other veg frozen are from my garden. Or the farm stand like corn i cut off the cob, then freeze. I have a big freezer because of my garden and over 100 tomato plants. I keep forgetting about nutmeg! Such a special flavor and i need to try it with beans. Artichoke hearts frozen i forget as well. We have one great dish and artichokes in season are 2 for 5 dollars so it is a seasonal treat. Not very often. Frozen is often a better option for out-of-season veggies. Or those that do not grow well as Annie mentioned. I had great years for broccoli and cauliflower and nothing the past five or so with so much heat...basil was destroyed once again...bunnies maybe. No fruit on the trees from a late frost but tomatoes are gorgeous. Beets gone from a critter but radishes and garlic are beauty. Early peas are now leathery but inside are good shelled. Hoping string beans will be good this year. I plant sooo much as seeds are cheap and always get something great.... Leeks are expensive here so i grow a big bed of them and freeze. I spent high school frozen cold with a kerosene heater in a small kitchen/tv room and grandparents that layed out paper towels on the counter to dry and recycle and Pop pounded on the bathroom door to remind not to flush and only use a sprinkle of water to wash hands...with a sign that read "drips dribble dimes down the drain". I've worked very hard to not have a food budget as an adult but got up this morning at 5am and made stock from smoked organic chickens from the weekend and made salad for DH lunch and three meals and froze 4 pints for future soups not because we are food poor but because it just tastes so much better. And i just enjoy it. (then worked a 14hr day). Like every day. I bet my food budget if i cared to keep track is so much lower than most by not buying processed foods.