[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

"Although, I think the Sevin finally did them all in."

Consider using Bt on your tomato plants. It will kill the hornworms and southern armyworms without killing any beneficial pollinators or hornworm parasites. (Yes, tomatoes are mostly air pollinated but bees do visit them!)

https://www.familyplotgarden.com/qa-ndash-just-how-safe-is-sevin-insecticide.html

Cool weather is here! Good growing!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

By Daniel St.Pierre

"Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit." - Jeremiah 29:5

Do you grow anything?

What I mean is, with all the resources God has provided you, and the dwelling space He has trusted you with, do you use those blessings to grow your own food, or do you rely on others to feed you?

These days, I grow basil and tomatoes, staple ingredients I use in my Neapolitan pizza, which I eat pretty much every night. I eat pizza on most nights because it’s easy to make, and using fresh ingredients, a fun and healthy meal shared with family and friends.

Back on the farm in Brookville, I used to grow a lot more than basil and tomatoes. I has a solar powered aquaponic system that not only gave us fresh produce, but also Talapia and Blue Gill fish.

I also had goats and a cow that gave us fresh milk every single day, and of course, I had hens that gave my family and our neighbors fresh eggs.

I grew citrus, ginger, sweet potatoes, melon, peppers, pineapples, zucchini, and much more. I even planted banana and olive trees.

So this week, as I transplanted and gifted basil to a friend, I was inspired to write about gardening and led to Jeremiah 29:5, where I found a profound invitation to cultivate gardens of hope and abundance, even in the midst of challenging circumstances.

Today, let’s explore the timeless wisdom of this verse and uncover the spiritual lessons we can glean from the act of gardening and growing our own food.

I. Embracing a Season of Planting:

Jeremiah’s message to the exiled Israelites encourages them to settle down, build homes, and plant gardens – actions that signify a commitment to thriving in their new environment despite the adversity they face. Similarly, in our own lives, there are seasons of planting and growth that require patience, perseverance, and faith. By embracing these seasons with open hearts and hands, we position ourselves to reap a harvest of blessings in due time.

II. Nurturing Seeds of Faith:

Just as a gardener tends to seeds with care and attention, we are called to nurture the seeds of faith planted within us. Through prayer, study of scripture, and fellowship with fellow believers, we cultivate an environment where our faith can take root and flourish. Like tender seedlings, our faith requires nourishment, sunlight, and protection from weeds of doubt and despair.

III. The Harvest of Generosity:

Gardening teaches us the importance of stewardship and generosity. As we reap the fruits of our labor, we are reminded of the abundance that God provides and the privilege we have to share that abundance with others. Whether through sharing surplus produce with neighbors in need or supporting community gardens and food banks, we have the opportunity to be channels of God’s love and provision to those around us.

IV. Connecting with God’s Creation:

Gardening offers us a tangible connection to God’s creation and a deeper appreciation for the rhythms of life. As we dig our hands into the soil, plant seeds, and witness the miracle of growth, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness and the beauty of His handiwork. In the midst of a fast-paced, technology-driven world, gardening invites us to slow down, savor the present moment, and marvel at the wonder of God’s creation.

V. Cultivating Gardens of the Heart:

Ultimately, gardening is not just about cultivating physical gardens but also about tending to the gardens of our hearts. Just as we weed, water, and prune our gardens to promote growth, we must also examine our hearts and root out anything that hinders our spiritual growth. By surrendering to the gentle work of the Holy Spirit, we allow God to cultivate in us the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

As we reflect on the wisdom of Jeremiah 29:5, let’s embrace the call to cultivate gardens of hope and abundance in our lives. Whether through physical gardening or the cultivation of our spiritual lives, may we be faithful stewards of the seeds entrusted to us, trusting in God’s provision and grace.

Diana here: "...with all the resources God has provided you, and the dwelling space He has trusted you with..." I SO needed this reminder, today! Hope you all enjoyed it, too.

[Paul R.]

It looks like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Bonide-BND803-Thuringiensis-Insecticide-Concentrate/dp/B001D1H6SE/ref=sr_1_5?sr=8-5

is a much more concentrated mix than this:

https://www.amazon.com/Southern-Ag-13022-Thuricide-Caterpillar/dp/B004QJ33B4/ref=sr_1_3?sr=8-3

So the higher price for the Bonide product appears to be “worth it”.

The Hi-Yield product seems to be harder to find locally or from Amazon, per my web search (but in the process I discovered Rural King apparently has Super Phosphate back in stock - yay!)

I did try BT several years back, but was not impressed with the results. However, it may have washed off in rain(s). For better or worse, the Sevin seems to stay on the plants better. (No, I don’t spray Sevin on anything to be harvested soon, and, yes, all our garden produces gets well washed.)

MOST years I don’t need to use any control measures for hornworms other than me picking them off the plants. I’ve also never seen a hornworm in my present location with the parasites, but when I was a kid I saw them a lot. Interesting, as my Dad was not exactly shy about using pesticides. Me — I’m pretty selective / limited.

Dad also had some “professional” jet spray Wasp Spray for zinging wasp and hornet nests. He got it from some professional Forestry Supply place. It was amazingly effective compared to the stuff you can buy now.* (That was over 40 years ago.) But, I suppose it was “nastier”.

*The foaming type wasp spray I bought last year generally does the job on wasps, but it takes them MUCH longer to die. I’d be afraid to take on a big hornet nest with it, esp. as I don’t run as fast any more!

We used to have a “dusk to dawn” fluorescent “cool white” light to light up our back porch and sidewalk to my building / shop. But, I replaced it last year with a motion sensor light. A result is that Luna Moths no longer get drawn to the back porch, where I can kill them. I wonder if that contributed to this summer’s crop of hornworms? I kinda hate to kill Luna Moths, because they are so spooky-beautiful, but, their progeny are just too dang destructive!

[Paul R.]

I forgot to mention, the only bees I see around any more are tiny species like sweat bees, or wood bees. Wood bees I kill at every opportunity - they do way too much damage... I’ve probably directly swatted them right out of the air than any other method!

[Paul R.]

Correction, that’s what I get for posting too early in the morning!

I swapped in my head the big Hawkmoths with Lunas. The Luna’s larvae feed on walnut and hickory trees, among others. My Dad was heavily into research, propagation, and promotion of improved Walnut varieties, and I have a big walnut tree on my property now (luckily not too close to the garden, but some of it’s progeny, distributed by squirrels, have been. A few I’ve replanted to locations further away.) So, not too much love lost there either...

[Paul R.]

Our slow slide into cool weather (very unusual for us in August) continues. It was maybe very slightly faster last night. NWS says we may set some records this week, not for absolute low temperatures, but for duration of a cool spell in August with temps and dewpoints this low. I’m certainly not complaining! The plants definitely seem to like it too. The tomatoes in particular have resumed normal ripening. :-)

The church picnic was great, except that for some reason all the tables and seating were IN wifey’s church Parish Hall. The hall was jammed anyway, by the time I got in line, as I’d had to go back to our car after the service that ended 20 minutes late, to retrieve our cooler with our food contribution. (Potato salad). The church has a large, almost park-like property, so, I went outside and found a spot to sit under a shade tree, and chow down. :-)

[Paul R.]

Does anyone know what the shelf life of Thuricide / BT is at 50 degrees F or even ~ 40 deg. F?

I’m seeing web search references to both 3-5 years, and 2 years, at “room temperature” and low humidity.

Usually things like bacteria slow down at lower temperatures, if not TOO low...

Thanks!

[Paul R.]

So the higher price for the Bonide product appears to be “worth it”.

However, the application rates appear to be the same, so, perhaps the two companies are measuring the "active ingredient" differently??