It is still cool here in southern PA. and the perfect time to plant those cold weather veggies such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, beets, radishes, onions and potatoes. Instead of starting my broccoli and cabbage from seed I purchased seedlings to get a jump start on the season. Not only am I particularly fond of these, there is a little garden pest that LOVES these tender little seedlings too...the CUTWORM. Cutworms can be in the soil (typically where there has been a lawn or grass because the feed on the roots. Out of sight and right beneath the soil line, they wrap themselves around you nice little plants and chew around the base. You, the happy gardener, go to check on your newly planted plot only to find them wilted or laying dead on the ground, leaving you disappointed and wondering what you did wrong. Well, this cutworm is easy to stop and only takes one item and one extra step during planting, and, will save you from all that disappointment of loosing you crop! The secret is cutworms hate black pepper! And the good part about using black pepper is that it is completely natural and will not harm the beneficial earthworms...win, win : )
So here's how:
Raid your spice cabinet and get the can of ground black pepper ( even though you will have to replace it...a good investment!)
Remove your seedlings from the pack and place in the prepared hole. Before covering with soil, sprinkle the black pepper around the plant set.....I use about a half teaspoon per plant but no measurement is necessary.
Cover the plant roots with soil and for good measure, I sprinkle a little more pepper on top of the soil around the plant.....just to make sure! You will be so pleased to see all of your seedlings remain standing and growing happily : )
One more tip..... There is another pest that loves cabbage and the other plants in cabbage family.....the cabbage looper. During the maturing season when the weather is warmer, you may see these pretty little white butterflies in your garden. Don't be fooled.....these most likely are the cabbage looper laying its eggs on your plants. But again, there are a few all natural remedies to prevent them from devouring your crop. If you have a fireplace you should have some wood ash...or if you do not have wood ash, you can purchase from your health food store or gardening center some diatomatious earth. (it will cost you more from the gardening center). Diatomatious earth is the skeletal remains of microscopic water animals. The skeletons are very sharp edged and just like the wood ash will scratch the skins of any crawling "plant munchers" and they will die from dehydration. All you need to do is sprinkle your plants with either of these and again, both are completely natural.
One word of caution using diatomatious earth....apply this on a day with little wind as you will not want to inhale it. Also try to limit the amount you get on the ground as it will do the same to earthworms as it will to cabbage worms! Happy gardening.
PS....I am trying to get this on the "Gardening" page, but it may not work! Still learning about this blog thing ; )
