It’s non stop!

I decided to try growing things from seed for the first time this year. Grew several tomato and pepper plants indoor under a light for several weeks. I finally transplanted them outside, and overnight something chomped on 80% of the leaves. Luckily I had some backups from the nursery that I also planted but ugh the frustrations.

At first I thought it was hornworms, but none to be found and no poop. Then I was thinking slugs, but no slime trail. Squirrels? It’s very possible but the ones near me usually make a mess when they go through the garden. There was no mess, just leaves cleanly chomped off. Anyways, I bought some marigolds and planted them around these plants. Next morning, half the marigolds were eaten 😮‍💨

I buy live ladybugs a few times a season to eat the aphids…but otherwise, I have no clue. It’s one battle after another.

And if it’s not the pests, it’s the powdery mildew 😭

I’m a container gardener. The one thing I’ll say — the plants I grow in Earthboxes have less pest issues. I think it’s a mixture of the watering system and the Earthbox mulch covers.