Organic Veggie Pesticide?

[phoenix78]

Something has been eating my seedlings and potatoes in my raised beds. I've placed some cardboard tp rolls around the seedlings now but what else can I do when things really take off? Any homemade organic spray suggestions? I tried putting down black pepper last year which helped somewhat but not a whole lot. Thanks for any suggestions.

PS - I plan on mulching too but my Rodale's book said not to add mulch till plants were established.

[MidnightCommando]

You need to find out what you have before you go after it

[Lisoula]

Once you find out what is getting your seedlings, try to find Jerry Baker's book called "Giant Book of Garden Solutions." There are tons of homemade elixers/sprays/treatments that fix many problems.

[purplemamaaz]

Hi, I'm a first time veggie gardener.

How do you know what's eating your plants. My spearmint have several holes the size of nailheads. Some of my other plants have holes in the leaves too but not quite as many as the mint. How to I find out what bugs we have so I can discourage them from eating my veggies?

[phoenix78]

I wish I knew! Anyone know how to figure it out? I've been watching the garden closely and I'm not seeing any critters during the day. Thanks for the book - I'm definitely going to check it out of the library on my next trip.

[PiesandAbrosmama]

look for many types of beetles up close. Examine each leaf in the sunlight for small bugs and bigger bugs. Many will spook and fly away when you get up close. I second the Jerry Baker book+had mine out today and did the bug begone spray-20 cloves of garlic, one onion, blended up with some water to help the blending. Then 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap and a gallon of water sprayed on the plants generously. I'm fighting off beetles squash beetles black and white striped with small red heads. They are eating my beets, beans, lettuce, and kale. Good luck!
O and I just was reading about making a running cage for some guinea pigs because they will eat all the bugs and not damage the plants. Not sure if it will work or if I'll do it but I'll let you know.

[dillonandmarasmom]

What are your seedlings? The type of veggie can really tell you a lot about what's eating them. My bok choy was completely eaten by earwigs, which I got rid of by laying traps of bacon grease and veggie oil in shallow dishes placed in the ground for their night time excursions. Sure enough, they all took the bait, fell in and drowned.

For my tomatoes, I did the cardboard tubes around the base, too. But, if it's little holes, it could also be afids or black fleas. Do you see any pests during the day?

I really would hesitate to spray anything on your plants if at all possible.