The Simple Homemaker

Tomato Hornworms and Cabbageworms

I know I said that I would not be on for a bit, but I saw a blog that sounded like they could have some pests in their gardens. 

Tomato and Cabbageworms can devastate a garden.  Anyone who has dealt with them knows what I mean.  We have had the pleasure the last three years of them visiting us!  First the Tomato Hornworm can be difficult to spot.   They are the same color green of your tomato plants.  You need to inspect the stalks and limbs of the plant carefully.  You will be able to spot them because they have two horns on their heads.  As they eat more, they get bigger!  You need to make sure you kill them!  They are tough!  Last year my daughter pulled one off and stomped on it on the pavement.  Well, it dragged itself back to the plants.  It was like watching a sci-fi movie!  We now use needletip plyers and try to kill them right away.  When we discover signs of them, we sprinkle our plants with a flour/salt mixture.  Along with removing the worms, it has prooved to be very effective.  We also do the same for our cabbage plants.  The only difference is the Cabbageworm is first a little white moth that lurks around the gardens.  Once you see them that should be your first indication to dust your plants with the flour/salt mixture.  (Oh, the cabbage worms look alike, minus the horns!)

Well, I hope this helps out anyone just starting out.  I am sure the veteran gardeners already know this. 

Does the dust stick to the cabbage leaves?

01:53, Friday, May 9, 2008 .. Posted by vgauthier

OK, I've had success with interplanting onions, nasturtiums and marigolds to keep these little buggers away, but a dust would be another piece of insurance ~ so forgive me if I sound dumb ~ wouldn't the salt wilt leaves, and the flour stick so when I cooked it I'd end up w/dumplings? <giggle> I know it's a dumb question, but considering I find dirt in between my cabbage leves, I just have this image in my head...

val