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Re: squash

-- [ From: Dale Neil * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --

Thanks to the person that explained about mounding dirt over the squash
vines for extra roots incase the borer hits. I had always thought that
technique meant if one has the problem to try to kill the thing by
cutting open the stem then covering the stem there so that roots would
form. That never seemed to work for me.

Winter squashes with the solid stems (there is a name for these but I
can't remember what it is. I do know that butternut types are amoung
them) are not bothered by the borer so if you have a big frustrating
problem, remember they only like hollow stems.

This year I am trying to delude the moth's senses by planting scented
geraniums, thymes, and other fragrant plants around the stems hoping
that it will throw them off trying to find the plants. I have heard that
nasturtiums around the plants work also and they provide some spicy
salads greans too. 

Reading Organic Magazine provided these suggestion : 1) Wipe the first 4
inchs of the vines every 4 days with a cloth with or without
insecticidal soap (stay away from the leaves with the soap as it will
burn them) . 2) Grow  dill, yarrow , and any other plants with umbrel
flower  heads since this attracts parasitic wasp. I have done this and
have seen the little wasp crawling along the bottom my squash vines like
they were looking for something. (they were a little late though last
year :-( . 

Hope this helps someone.

Dale Neil
zone 5 Rock Island, Ill.
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