I have some problems that keep running around in my head regarding next year and
weeds,
potato bugs and rabbits/deer/gophers. Maybe you can help me.
First I read that a good way to control
potato beetles is to dig a trench around your plants and put plastic in it. Then the beetles march in and get stuck in the moat. That sounds great but what I am worried
about is that they would march over to the tomatoes, eggplant and
peppers if they can't get to the
potatoes. I have one eggplant and they are destroying it so I know they like other nightshade plants just fine (none have tried to eat my
peppers or sweet
potatoes but they would if starving I think). So I can't dig a trench around everything so what should I do? I thought about putting some decoy plants off to the edge to let them eat and keep them busy so they stay off the other stuff. The red tomato trays would protect them and that would leave the eggplant and
peppers. I am just not sure what to do.
As for
weeds I am using a lot more
weed blocker and newspaper with mulch on top next year. That leaves the carrots, lettuce, onions, garlic and corn to
weed. I read online that a crop of vetch seeded in fall where the corn will be then lightly tilled once in the
spring will keep the
weeds out of the corn but not choke the corn (if it is tilled a little once or twice). Do you think this will work? Is vetch a good cover crop to introduce?
As for critters. One thing I am going to do is plant much larger
seedlings. Rabbits don't seem interested in stuff once it gets big and tough. Also maybe making several plantings of peas and beans all over makes it harder for them to get it all. I will grow my cucumbers in raised circle things and the melons will have wall o waters til big. Maybe I need to get chicken wire or bird net or something for protection. Also bating the deer and rabbits with a bale of grass hay seems to help. And I read that
growing a row of alfalfa in the perimeter keeps out bugs and must give rabbits something else to eat. But I am still worried about what they might find to destroy, especially since I am hoping to go semi-pro next year (haven't told hubby yet). So what do you think about these ideas and what else I can do to 'fortify my defenses'?