What's Eating My Plants?

Your little vegetable plants are finally all planted out in the garden when all of a sudden you start noticing holes in the leaves.

You're wondering, "What's eating my plants? How much damage is ok? Should I do something about it? I don't want to spray anything toxic on my food!"

Flea beetle damage on broccoli leaf

 Photo credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

Come to a class at Tompkins County Cooperative Extension this Thursday, June 13 from 6:30-8:30 pm for a workshop on Vegetable Insect Pests. You'll learn to identify stages of common garden pests and their damage, how much damage is acceptable and when you need to take action, plus a range of non-toxic, organic solutions that you can use.

Ladybug larvae, a beneficial insect, eating aphids

Photo credit: Winston Beck, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org

Call (607)272-2292 to register for the workshop on Vegetable Insect Pests this Thursday, June 13 from 6:30-8:30 pm, or send an email to Chrys Gardener at cab69@cornell.edu.  The cost is a sliding scale fee from $5-$10 - you decide how much to pay and no-one will be turned away for inability to pay. 

The workshop will be held at the CCE-Tompkins office, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca (near the Sciencenter and Neighborhood Pride grocery store).

Remember the Gardener's Trail this Sunday, June 16! Ten local nurseries will have FREE special activities, tastings, giveaways, wagon rides, tours and more! Go to The Gardener's Trail for event details and a map of nursery locations.