June 12, 2021
If you are like me, you dread the thought of pests like the squash vine borer invading your garden. Beverly sent this helpful note this afternoon with a few tips.
I have been enjoying the stunning growth of the squash “volunteers” around Raincatcher’s. Last year’s plants dropped seeds that have become this year’s squash plants. Having a big concern about squash borers, I read up on the subject.
It seemed necessary to check each plant daily for the sawdust colored frass (poop) that appears at the stem when the larva is present.
After a week of wondering if I would be able to identify it, eureka! The squash plant below was planted in the Sensory Garden of the Edible Landscape. It went from healthy looking to kind of unhealthy looking overnight.
The next picture shows a close-up of the frass. I removed the diseased section of the plant and replanted the remainder of the squash plant with 3 nodes in the soil.
Extra mulch seems to be helping other squash plants evade the borer so far. Continued vigilance will help us to slow down the squash borer population at least a little bit.
Beverly Allen, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2018
Many years ago at our Joe Field Location we had a lunch with every menu item made from squash starting with squash blossoms quesadillas! Links to the articles are provided below.
DALLAS GARDEN BUZZ 