Ohmygodmosquitoes!
Seriously, where do they all come from? I’d been enjoying a perfectly fine — albeit insanely crazy-making hot — summer, and then, bam! Or, rather, slap! Because, that’s what I’ve been doing in the garden lately. A whole lot of slapping of mosquitoes.
Frankly, it’s beginning to get a little old.
The gutters are clean. The rain barrels are all spiked with Mosquito Dunks, so that’s not the problem. I think the source is beyond my control, because it’s beyond my property line. Mosquitoes, apparently, don’t worry one bit about trespassing.
Granted, I’ve created a pretty nice habitat for them. The garden is packed with flowers, which appeals to the nectar-hungry male mosquitoes. And, the dense plant growth provides great cover for the pacifist males and the blood-thirsty females. Plus, there’s me. Not only am I outside ALL THE TIME, but I’m also one of those folks with delicious blood. Mosquitoes love to bite me. Really, if you want to hang outside without worrying about bug spray or being bitten, just sit next to me. You’ll be fine. Me? Well, don’t be surprised if you lose sight of me due to the massive cloud of mosquitoes hovering around, just waiting for one taste of my blood.
You probably think I’m exaggerating.
So, I’m desperate. The flowers and plants and me are all here to stay. But, I’d really like the mosquitoes to skeedadle. Any advice? The only thing that really seems to work is DEET, and only if I bathe in it. I’m not such a fan of that. The herbal concoctions seem to work great for the mild-mannered native mosquitoes, but not for the black-and-white striped Asian tiger mosquitoes. If you’ve found a non-DEET solution for relief from those guys, please share your wisdom with me.
Ok. Sorry about that mosquito rant. How about we look at some photos instead?
I will never get tired of how this garden looks in the golden, early morning sunlight:
The beans I planted a few weeks ago are filling in nicely:
You can see why I’m such a fan of bush beans in the front border of front yard vegetable gardens. They grow fast (these are just three weeks old), look fantastic, and produce one of my most favorite harvests. These are ‘Royal Burgundy,’ and will soon be covered in purple flowers, to be followed by purple beans. The hint of color is fantastic, but ordinary green beans are also a great choice for the garden’s edge.
If there’s a bare spot in my garden, there’s a pretty good chance that I’ll plant bush beans in that soil.
And, if a volunteer butterfly weed pops up in one of my bean patches, you can be sure I’ll leave it there. I just hope this little volunteer grows quickly enough to lure some monarchs and feed some caterpillars before the summer is over. The parent plants didn’t make it through the winter, and for a very good reason: I planted the wrong variety. This is Mexican butterfly weed (Asclepias curassavica). Not winter-hardy in Virginia. Oops. I’d meant to add some of our native butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) this spring, and just never got around to it. So, now, I’m counting on these little Mexican volunteers to pull through for one more season.
Here’s something I wasn’t expecting:
Artichoke plants go ugly in the summer. Or, at least, they do in Virginia during a year that’s non-stop setting records for heat heat heat. I knew these would be a challenge here. Artichokes like mild winters and mild summers. Here in Virginia’s USDA Zone 7, we have sometimes-mild winters, and are-you-kidding hot summers. Still, I’d thought the winters would be the challenge. Looks like I may be wrong.
Now, artichokes are thistles. And, thistles are well-known for their strong and deep root systems that survive multiple beheadings (just ask anyone who has tried to reclaim thistle-infested land). So, I’m hoping the artichokes have just gone dormant, and that they will spring back to life in September, when things cool down a bit. Anyone know? If you’ve got experience growing artichokes in hot hot summers, I’d sure love to hear about your observations!
Just so we’re clear, I’m still THRILLED with how my artichokes did this year. So pretty! Well, not any more. But, just last week: so pretty!
Speaking of pretty, check out the ‘Blush’ tomato:
I wrote a tiny bit about ‘Blush’ tomatoes a few days ago. Since then, I’ve been watching this jewel ripen and darken. Another day or two, I think, and it’ll be perfect. Yum!
Keeping that theme of yum:
My sweet potatoes are HUGE! Biggest and happiest sweets I’ve ever grown. I can’t wait to harvest these beauties. Just a few more months.
And, look!
My red cabbages are forming heads! Ok, ok… I know… It’s totally not cabbage season any more. And, cabbages aren’t nearly as sexy or fun as sweet potatoes. But, this is my first go at growing cabbages, so I’m thrilled. Looking forward to a bit of homegrown ‘slaw in a few more weeks.
By the way, did you notice how I changed the name of the garden photo tour to “weekly” instead of “Monday morning?” Sneaky, eh? I’ll still be sharing these photo tours at the beginning of each week. But, I figure we’re all tired of listening to me apologize for missing my self-imposed Monday deadline. So, this will be better. Promise. As long as I don’t start missing whole weeks…
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How are things growing in your own garden?
Click here to leave a comment on this blog post. Thank you!
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It’s time to harvest sweet potatoes!! 
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Garden stroll #16: More snow!!?? Good grief. 
Garden stroll #15: Snow!? 
E-books and experiments 
Here comes spring! 
2013 Warrenton Seed Swap 
It’s time to plant some … birdhouses!? 
Home-grown vs. store-bought: sweet potatoes! 
2013 seeds: ordered! 
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I abhor the love that mosquitoes have for my flesh & blood as well. My only real relief? LEMONGRASS essential oil. Smells like fruit loops to me, but it is a little strongly scented for some. From what I understand, Dragonflies eat mosquitoes, and Dragonflies LOVE lemongrass (which grows wild on the banks of rivers and creeks), so the mosquitoes avoid Lemon Grass because it’s associated with predators.
I mix a few drops of the Lemongrass essential oil with a few drops of Olive oil and apply liberally to exposed skin. While nothing is 100% foolproof against mosquitoes, this concoction sure helps reduce the number of bites I sustain when outdoors, and it’s non-toxic.
Additionally, I’ve seen those little electronic repellents, battery operated gadgets that imitate the wing-beats of Dragonflies thereby scaring mosquitoes away. I’ve never used the electronic device but it sounds good?
Last but not least, the big, expensive Mosquito Magnet, a propane trap that attracts and kills a full acre worth of mosquitoes.
Personally, I have only used Lemongrass oil to repel mosquitoes, and it works very well for me. I also try to attract the predatory Dragonflies (which love moving water) to my garden. I keep a small, tabletop fountain pump in the dogs water trough to keep the water circulating (mosquitoes only like still water), and plant a few repellent plants around patios (like Geranium, Ageratum, Cat Mint, Lemongrass, & Marigold)
Good luck Christina!
Lemongrass oil? That sounds SO much better than DEET. Thank you! I’m going to give that a try as soon as possible.
First–I adore the way cabbage looks in an edible garden. Even though it is ridiculously cheap to buy, I always grow red and savoy cabbage just because i love the big blowsy heads that look like dinosaur flowers to me.
Those striped tiger mosquitos are just horrendous. When i gardened in brookly, there would be swarms so think they would fly into my ears, mouth and eyes, AND bite through a shirt and pants. I’m someone who normally wears no repellant-I’m too bitter I guess to attrack the native ladies, but the striped ones thought I was succulent. My additional advice–which is hard to execute, be warned–is to go out into the garden in the middle of the day–basically when the mosquitos are not at maximum feeding frenzy. From my experience, being willing to sweat it out in the noon heat (lots of water!!!) reduced the feeding on me dramatically and I could wear less DEET. Not ideal, but not a chemical either. Oh–and pants and long sleeves and socks pulled up. Its a “choose your misery” situation.
Midday gardening with long sleeves and long pants has been my strategy for a while now. Works decently well, but the local tiger mosquitoes are still out and biting in the midday sun (though not as badly as the evening or morning). Best thing, I find, is to garden in bursts. Outside for five or ten minutes, then back inside once the skeeters find me. Helps, but gets frustrating after a while.
As for the cabbage: I’m thrilled with it! This is my first year growing cabbage, and I’ll be planting more next year. So big and bold and dramatic. Do you have any favorite good-looking varieties?
I have had some minor success with Avon skin so soft. Of course it seems like that might just be trading one chemical for another. Looking at the beautiful cabbage I can’t help wondering if you might not be hear harboring some skeeters down in those luscious leaves? One year it seemed like they were doing their thing in the wet grass at my place.
I’ve actually never tried Avon Skin So Soft, though I’ve heard it works for some folks. I think I’d much prefer that to the DEET. Thanks for the tip!
Cristina, I was noticing on your sweet potato plant leaves there were a good many tiny holes and to the right of your lft. index finger looks to me like a ‘Lady Bug’, or better known to the deep South what is called a ‘Stink Bug’; mash that fellow and “PHEW”– Anyway does the holes in leaves harm the plants or are the holes left from insects that are really benificial to them, and are most plant leaves & stalks treated equally? I guess i think that any signs of harm to the plant of any kind are not good, thus to a lot of farmers & gardeners out comes the insecteside & the plants get a good treatment of it and there goes ‘Your Organic Garden”. I guess my question is ‘How can you tell the difference between harmless & harmful insects’? I would really like to know and bet that there are many more out there that would like too also; so could you maybe do a column or “Blog Spot” on that topic!!
Yes! Those little holes are caused by golden tortoise beetles. Tiny little beetles with bright gold coloring. Really attractive little beetles that only eat on members of the morning glory family (including sweet potatoes). From what I’ve read, they rarely eat enough to damage the plants. That matches my experience this year: There are holes in the sweet potato leaves, but the plants are thriving.
And, yes, I’d much rather have the holes than the chemicals.
I love your outlaw garden
You’ve inspired me to pick up some yardlong beans to grow against my back fence 
Wonderful, Jenn! You’ll love the yard long beans. Big and dramatic, and super tasty (almost taste like asparagus).
Try a bug jacket… not exactly fun, but beats itching for days, plus no chemicals.
Ha! That’s practically what I’ve been doing. Despite temperatures in the 90s most days, I’m gardening in long sleeves and long pants. They still bite through the clothes, but it does help. The neighbors must think I’m crazy though…
Cristina, I have heard that Citronella Oil works well to repel mosquitoes, its fairly inexpensive if bought in the liquid oil form; they also sell Citronella Oil Lamps but have no idea how much they may be, but might be worth investigating it from the way you say the drattted mosquitoes are up your way. Happy Rest of Summer; and don’t know whether you have thought about it or not but will soon be “Dog Days”, and do you know what that means? Double Trouble of everything; 40 days & 40 nights of “ALL” the horrible stuff, double the mosquitoes, double the non-healing wounds and lots more double things; but one good thing, there are double the good also, like late summer eatables!! “Happy ‘Outlaw Gardening’”..
Cristina,
I’m an outlaw myself, and just expanded my planting bed by the street… so keeping my fingers crossed.
Love love love love this blog
And thanks for introducing me to bush beans! You are right! They are quick, easy and beautiful!
I live in Raleigh, and like you, crazy hot and humid summers and my backyard is shady providing mosquito heaven. The tiger mosquitos bite through my clothes! Have you noticed that you don’t get bitten on windy days? My solution is a very long extension cord and a box fan. I work in the airflow of the fan and move it around with me – keeps the flying bugs away from me, chemical free. It’s not the ideal solution, but the fan keeps me focused on one area at least for a few minutes, because I’m rather prone to garden-distractions
Hi there, Lacey! It’s always great to meet a fellow outlaw!
So glad to hear you enjoyed the bush beans. And, thank you for the mosquito tip! Maybe I just need to install a wind tunnel around the garden. I’m sure the neighbors won’t mind…
Hi Cristina, Although I am on the other side of the world almost, (Australia) I’m feeling your pain with the Skeeter situation. I am investigating getting some nice native frogs and setting up home for them in my vege patch, that way I can stay organic, and provide a meal for the froggies. I wonder how many I will need to mow down the battalions of mozzies I have here. I hope that they will also eat other critters that currently enjoy my hospitality. The only problem I see in my cunning plan is if they roam further than the bird netting that keeps my patch safe from the Rape and Pillage sisters (commonly know as my free ranging chickens). One hop too far and it may be the end of the road!! Anyway, I’ll let you know how I go. Thanks for a great blog, seems that the sisterhood of the outlaws is alive and well..
Toni
Sunshine Coast
Australia
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