Invasion of the Cucumber Beetle!

My two biggest fears while working on Melon at Decordova Museum last summer were a late New England frost, and the cucumber beetle. To be safe, I planted in early June, and then to warm weather and a relatively pest-free environment, save chipmunks who loved jumping through the buckwheat hulls. Who could blame them, buckwheat hulls are incredibly seductive.

Turns out my fear of the beetle is justified. This year was not so lucky.  Two days ago I noticed a few munching on my seedlings. I quickly picked them off, and dusted all of the plants with cayenne pepper, (a remedy from the Internet) hoping for a little time to brew a garlic/hot pepper spray. The next morning I woke to cucumber beetle orgy. It was like some cucumber beetle Facebook post inspired a flash mob. 150 seedlings, all squash, cucumber and melon save 7 pumpkins were destroyed–in one night! So all of these seeds will need to be resown when I get into the city. Luckily they don’t have a taste for herbs, beans, and peppers. My tomatoes and eggplant are inside. Note to self…and warning to you.