Teaching Garden Update: Army Worms

This last Saturday we broke out the Bt to try to stop the army worm invasion in the corn in our fall milpa (three sisters) bed.
Cooler temperatures and widespread rain events across Texas have created ideal conditions for armyworms, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.
Armyworm caterpillars are the larval form of a moth that migrates by the millions northward in the spring and summer to lay their eggs. Infestations of the caterpillars can be extremely destructive to home gardens and forage and row crops from Bermuda grass to corn and rice. 

Danielle planted 1500 year old cave beans next to the corn as they were getting to be about 6 inches in height. Hopefully the interplanting and extra nutrients from the beans will help fend off the army of worms. We will see how the corn is doing later this week and plant more if we need to.

GROW WITH US
Join us this summer as we continue to learn in the garden together. We meet Saturday's and Wednesdays from at 9 - 11 am. This fall we will be doing a major change to the garden as we design a 4-square garden! We are also looking for seed and plant donations so let us know if would like to contribute to the garden this way. Please email us and let us know if you can grow with us!