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... but now it is all covered with Aphids. I can't even get them to wash off in the sink well... (I do it , but it takes forever) Does anyone know the nutritional value of aphids..... ants like em so I was thinking that I might as well just stir-fry them as well. they are plantred amongst zuchinnis and pumpkins and there is a forest of aphid covered kale.
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Re: I have no luck with the kale..... I mean it grows like mad but....
Sun, July 30, 2006 - 7:29 PMi find that when i grow kale in the fall/winter/early spring there are A LOT less aphids, if any. plus since kale is a cool weather crop, it tastes much better when it is grown some other time that summer.
also, for me, controlling aphids was about creating a mini ecosystem in my yard. it took about 3 y ears but i have lots of birds, ladybugs, bees, hummingbirds, etc which keep the pests in control.
im not sayin i dont have aphids, but i have A LOT less than i used to.
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Re: I have no luck with the kale..... I mean it grows like mad but....
Tue, August 1, 2006 - 12:02 AMI agree with Jessica's strategies and use them to grow mostly aphid free kale. I would also add that stressed or undernourished plants seem to attract more aphids. Kale and other brassicas are heavy feeders and should be given good compost enriched soil and if they are competing with other heavy feeders they should be given plenty of space to develop good root systems.
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Re: I have no luck with the kale..... I mean it grows like mad but....
Mon, July 31, 2006 - 9:30 AMI had the same problem this summer. I used hot pepper spray on them and that worked pretty well. Then I read up on companion planting and I planted some petunias around them. I have NO aphids on my kale since! If you can plant some of those, I recommend it. :) -
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Re: I have no luck with the kale..... I mean it grows like mad but....
Mon, July 31, 2006 - 10:14 AMgreens like kale grow better as a cool-season crop. try successive planting of seeds towards the end of summer for a late winter harvest >> sweeter kale and waaaaay less pests.
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Re: I have no luck with the kale..... I mean it grows like mad but....
Mon, July 31, 2006 - 1:08 PMha ha. a friend used to say, you'd only be eating the SKIN of the maggot in your apple, because inside it's all apple too. i guess the same could be said of aphids. -
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Re: hahahaha
Thu, August 3, 2006 - 1:00 AMspread 'em
throughout the garden give the aphids a challenge
but perhaps they are trying to tell you something about your soil and air in the garden
I can practically hear them laughing as they munch away
try amending with seaweed and dolomite lime next time see what happens
ask forgiveness from the aphid devas
praise the nature spirits
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