New Covenant

Ladybug, looking for food

We had a bunch of ladybugs emerge, about a week ago, in our garden. Fennel is one of their plants of choice, and I shot one of the beetles crawling up a stem, in search of a meal.

Image © 2010 A. R. Lopez

Winter Squash

We have some winter squash that sprang up in our garden.

Does anyone know how to prepare these vegetables? What types of recipes are they good for (if any)?

Thanks.

On the workings of an ecosystem

A few weeks ago I asked Ilona for some advice on how to deal with garden pests (see this post). She was gracious enough to give me a few pointers, to which I am very grateful.

One of the attack plans we had, in dealing with the aphid problem, was to bring in a commando force of ladybugs from our front yard.

photo - A ladybug near some unsuspecting aphids.

They immediately began attacking (i.e., eating) the aphids. After satiating themselves, they began procreating.

photo - ladybug eggs (orange), laid in and amongst an aphid population.

Within only a few short weeks, the aphid infestation has been reined in, and most of the affected plants are back to producing vegetables.

In researching which insects are friends of the gardener, I noted another friend, the Syrphid fly, whose larva also feed off of juicy aphids. Not unexpectedly, I found many a syrphid fly hovering about our zucchini plants.

photo - Syrphid fly, looking for a nice spot to lay some eggs.

All photos © 2008 A. R. Lopez.

Ask ilona (v. 1)

On today's Ask ilona segment, a budding gardener from southern California has a couple of questions regarding some of nature's pests.

First off, consider the little pests covering a cantaloupe plant...

What to do? Is it too far gone?

And, consider these little guys on the underside of a tomato leaf...

Again: What to do? (and... What are they?)

On a positive note, at least there are ladybugs attempting to control the aphid population (note this ladybug is in the middle of devouring a pest).

Would insecticidal soap help? Would it hurt the ladybugs?

Any helpful information would be appreciated.