Yes, it’s only mid-February, but if you want to get ahead of those dreaded squash vine borers this year, you need to start planning now.
What are squash vine borers
The squash vine borer (Melittia cucurbitae) is day-flying moth with orange-and-black markings that lays eggs at the base of cucurbit plants (squash, pumpkins) in early summer. Larvae bore into stems, causing sudden wilting. If damage is bad enough, it can kill a large plant overnight.
It’s all about prevention
I don’t like to use the word “organic” to describe my gardening style or the curriculum that I teach.
This is because the word is grossly misused. There are many products and treatments on the market labeled as “organic” that can still wreak havoc on your garden’s ecosystem.
For this reason, I teach prevention over treatment, so that you don’t even need to reach for organic pest or disease treatment. No treatment at all is ten times better than any organic treatment for your garden.
The three best ways to prevent squash vine borers...