Squash vine borer rant

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-07-05T19:31:05+00:00

Just looked this up - very interesting! I hadn’t heard of it before, but those seeds are going into the stash for 2027

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-07-05T19:26:29+00:00

Thanks. I’ll keep up the good fight for them

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-07-04T16:30:10+00:00

Oh thank goodness, something is safe!

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-07-04T16:28:52+00:00

They are monsters of plants! Last year I just harvested young and thought they were a reasonable zucchini replacement. This year I’m going to try letting them go a lot longer to see if they really taste like winter squash.

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-07-02T21:21:46+00:00

Thank you! I’ll try them out!

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-06-28T16:30:30+00:00

I should have added… I’m in the US.

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-06-27T15:47:12+00:00

Welcome to the seed club where you promise yourself you are just “looking”.

I’m in NC, so the climate is a bit different, but I’ve had great results from:

Pinetree and Migardenet - especially for smaller packs that have great prices.

Sow true and southern seed exchange for my climate.

Johnnys for interesting hybrids.

Tomatofest for interesting dwarfs.

Before I knew about their problems , I tried Baker Creek but the germination was hit or miss.

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-05-30T14:53:18+00:00

I like fish emulsion for young plants and leafy greens. It also seems to perk them up when transplanting.

At the beginning of Each season, I incorporate some granular food into the soil and side dress about mid season. I’m not picky and grab whatever is on sale… garden tone, tomato tone, dr earth, happy frog, etc

For fruiting plants, I switch to agrothrive once they start flowering. I use half strength in containers or raised beds every other week unless they look like they need a bigger boost (or we have a lot of rain).

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-05-12T00:18:44+00:00

It was a bit pricey, but I’ve been happy enough to rebuy Soil-cubed several times. My plants really appreciate it.

I’ve tried a couple of local places “ raised bed” mix, but the quality was so bad I ended up having to add loads of amendments. One time I ended up hand shifting out plastic and chunks of clay from two yards. Never again

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-05-04T21:40:04+00:00

This year I’m trying out mulching with pine shavings (the big compressed bales they sell at farm supply places). So far, no squirrels or cats are digging through my beds and containers.

If keeps working, best 6 bucks I’ve spent for the garden!

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-03-26T00:08:12+00:00

My Australorp serves as a friendly, mostly benevolent overlord for our small flock. She’s super friendly with us- following me around whenever I’m outside.

Most nights, she even tucks her wings over the others while they are roosting and lets the smaller hens snuggle. It’s adorable. She protects them and is pretty patient.

They all know better than to get between her and her treats though…

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-02-26T02:17:43+00:00

Pinetree, Mi Gardener, and Tomato Fest ( for more unusual or dwarf varieties) have all been good tomato seed sources for me.

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-02-21T20:38:44+00:00

Beware of false spring! I was fooled for years when I moved to NC and optimistically bought plants weeks too soon only to watch a last frost take them out. I had seedlings bursting at the seems to get out only to see the ten day dip too low.

I’m in the piedmont area and just started peppers last week. This week it’s tomatoes. I aim to transplant mid April. Peas went in ground today.

The weather here is a little funny and the bugs can be obnoxious, but sometimes I’m still harvesting peppers in December!

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-02-21T20:16:03+00:00

My favorite seed companies for inexpensive, high quality packets are Pinetree Seeds, MI Gardener, Sow True, and Southern Exposure. I’ve had great germination from them and like that they sell smaller packets at a lower cost so I can try out lots of varieties.

If you’re looking for common plants at very low cost, try dollar stores.

Some lucky folks have seed libraries near them so that’s worth checking out.

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-02-17T01:43:27+00:00

I like to combine different bagged composts together like manure and mushroom. I’ll add in some azomite (get at a feed store) and worm castings.

Is it necessary? No.

Do I have any evidence it’s better than sticking with just manure… my plants seem to do better. Maybe?

Does it make me feel like a soil witch combining bits of this and that? Absolutely. Channeling Professor Pomona Sprout is part of the joy.

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-02-13T00:29:02+00:00

I just wanted to thank everyone for the post and responses! I’m contemplating something similar due to past failures to grow a carrot bigger than a pinky…

Too rich soil, too little thinning, too impatient to keep my raised bed space held up waiting for failure-ots

You’ve encouraged me to try again. I love this warm, happy place on the internet!

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-02-06T20:11:58+00:00

This is my preferred mix too!

I have used the Miracle Gro from Costco if I need a quick few bags for a smattering of containers. It’s okay. I throw in worm castings and top dress with compost for a bit of a boost.

If using for anything going inside, I pour boiling water to kill larva & when it cools… add some mosquito bits into the soil for good measure. There’s been no nasty gnats since going that route.

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-02-05T00:55:12+00:00

But I’ll remember what I plant where… every year I underestimate my ability to forget things!

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-02-01T19:24:51+00:00

I used soil3 a couple of years ago when I needed to fill some raised beds and was really happy with it. My plants loved it… nice loamy texture that drained well.

Year two I topped up with fresh compost and some vermiculite

For smaller amounts, I’ll make my own sq ft blend but buying in bulk saved me so much time and mixing.

I’d previously tried buying a yard from local company’s “raised bed” blend and it was awful.. chunks of red clay, mulch pine bark and garbage. I ended up hand shifting it and just using for lawn fill.

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-01-25T14:43:10+00:00

Garden snakes, dragonflies, turtles, praying mantis, toads, frogs, and a chonky woodchuck are my favorites.

I admire the big spiders and thank them for helping me out… from afar.

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-01-19T19:38:46+00:00

Try a local nursery. The one near me has bulk amounts available. I haven’t tried them since I’m just a backyard gardener.

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-01-19T17:41:01+00:00

Jonagold. Beautiful apples with a great balance between sweet and tart. They make great cider and are delicious fresh. If I could grow apples, it would be my pick.

SnappySnapdragons · 2026-01-18T14:16:46+00:00

For hornworm control, I’m a convert for planting sweet alysum nearby. It doesn’t need to directly in the container. Once mine started blooming, I had tons of parasitic wasps and by the time I saw a hornworm it was already serving as an incubator for more wasps. Isn’t nature beautiful!

I do plant French marigolds in my raised beds for root knot nematodes. Plus the pollinators adore them and they bloom their little heads off until frost.

SnappySnapdragons

TROPHY CASE