Active Summer Reading for Organic Farms

Summer Action in the Potato Patch.

An organic potato patch, it requires DAILY inspection for Colorado Potato Beetles... in adult... larva... and egg form.

You won't be likely to find the pupa because that is how they spend the winter in the soil.

They begin their damage to crops, especially potatoes when they emerge as adults and WALK to the potato patch.

Their goal is to lay eggs and eat. Both the adults and the larva eat the stems and leaves of the potato plants. Though if pressed for food, they will also eat tomato,peppers, eggplants and even petunias.

You must be relentless and if you miss them, your potato crop will suffer.

Let your mantra be potatoes ... potatoes... potatoes...

So you will not be too distressed about removing all of those Colorado Potato Beetles in less than peaceful manners.

The more you see, the less peaceful you will feel.

Great resources and references for your organic field activity.