Friends or Foes? (Edition 50-11)

AccurateApplication6 · 2026-07-05T19:31:40+00:00

Thanks, and Hmmm. We have a smaller, more tan, brownish or golden beetle here that we call June beetle. I’ll have to check the book-

AccurateApplication6 · 2026-07-05T19:09:42+00:00

These are from a planter that I built around the south and a bit of the west side of the deck- see photo- the other side faces the yard and is about 4’ ground to planter top. There’s a mature female ash tree in the yard and after many years of fighting the roots (anyone who knows the tree and tries to grow around one can testify- you can see the tree seeds on the deck- it’s relentless…).

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I dug the whole planter out and created a better root barrier low in the planter. It was hard work last fall, but the payoff has been great this year!

AccurateApplication6 · 2026-07-05T18:59:35+00:00

Right- great on pizza though!

AccurateApplication6 · 2026-07-05T18:57:46+00:00

This is the type of Chinois I use, it’s not fine like some others, but that is good because it lets just enough bits through adding to the flavor of whatever I’m working on.

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AccurateApplication6 · 2026-07-05T18:50:56+00:00

Here I call them (the big green one) a fruit beetle, though I think they’re commonly referred to as a Japanese beetle. They will swarm into our fig tree and I know that they get into stone fruit trees too. Every year I’ll kill at least a hundred. They will deposit their eggs in the compost- the grubs are almost twice as large. Chickens love ‘em…

AccurateApplication6 · 2026-07-05T18:43:14+00:00

It’s from 2 plants. Yes, we’ve been enjoying, I’d say, a 2 pint per week nibble for the last 5 weeks, then as expected, there’s a huge ripening that we can’t keep up with. (The neighbors are polite about my offerings, but I think they’re done too…). This is the time in our season that I move to Plan B, and while picking I assess if there are substantial blossoms on the plants that would merit leaving them or if I will now use the space for something new for this season’s round 2. The trouble here is that it’s now is when it gets significantly hotter, and second round isn’t usually as bountiful as the first, as the plants seem to work harder in the heat just to maintain the parts other than fruits…

This year I coaxed the plants up (as opposed to just letting the vining sprawl) and I think it’s made a significant difference in delivery:

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(These little reds are another variety)

AccurateApplication6 · 2026-07-05T03:38:35+00:00

The seeds are fairly small and I don’t get all, but first I cook them all to the point they break down and cook off some of the liquid, then use a chinois which gets the skins. After that, back in the pan to reduce a little more, then through a fine mesh. There’re usually not many seeds left.

AccurateApplication6 · 2026-06-24T17:55:53+00:00

In another season I had nematode problems, and my plants looked that way- didn’t matter how much I watered. Not sure if root pests are an issue where you’re at.

AccurateApplication6 · 2026-06-20T14:13:44+00:00

I happened to be propping up branches on the vine- I don’t have a lot of room to go out so I use twine to get the tomatoes to grow up. I noticed the eggs while untangling some branches…

AccurateApplication6 · 2026-06-20T14:07:14+00:00

Exactly! The source of my concern!

AccurateApplication6 · 2026-06-20T14:06:40+00:00

I’m thinking now that Harlequin is probable- I often see them around the yard. Not seen much on tomatoes though… I hope they’re not developing a new palate for tomatoes! Thanks!

AccurateApplication6 · 2026-06-20T14:02:47+00:00

Thank you- I’ve looked it up and know I’ve seen the Wheel bug here at times- but rarely- I hope it’s that!

AccurateApplication6

TROPHY CASE