HelpfulGardener.com

About 3 weeks ago got some full pretty dill starts at the garden center. (I don't do well starting dill from seed. Germinates, but don't get full pretty plants). Put 3 in a pot, 3 in ground. These are from a regional nursery, and most of their starts are pretty.

I picked some a week ago for market. Then Friday picking, and noticed the aphids, like some stems covered, and removed the worst stems. I had 3 small bunches at the market, and told customers there may be a few aphids, but at least no chemicals! (they like that). I did notice signs of slugs on the dill in the ground, but those come from my garden dirt (and sprinkled some sluggo around).

So finally back to them, removed the worst, again, did soap/water spray. I know the new ones will just keep coming out of the dirt. In a couple days after the scheduled rain, may do the pyrethrin, and keep alternating with soap/water. No lady bugs in sight.

I also had picked up some pretty French tarragon, same time, same supplier. Bingo, mealy bugs on one plant.

In the next few days when I am back at the garden center will let them know. I don't expect refunds or replacements, just letting them know there is a problem. I am sure others may be noticing also. This could be huge to the smallish nursery right in middle of the season. Also reminds me why I don't need a small hobby greenhouse!

Susan, I realize you have to sell yours and most people probably don't look at it this way, but...

I prefer to see aphids, etc. on herb plants than to see pristine herbs because then I'll know to deal with them while they are in quarantine when I get them home, but I could probably harvest and eat some right away, without worrying about what pesticides may have been used on it by the grower and waiting until new foliage grow out to harvest.

I buy herbs from a lady who would be hand picking eggs and caterpillars off the plants as I browse and we chat. She's the one that I bought an indigo plant from and we split an unusual egg cluster to raise and observe because I found them one of the leaves first, and neither of us could identify them. -- they turned out to be Io moth eggs.

I don't mind an egg or larva here and there. But, a start with aphid infested dirt is unacceptable and this also indicates the greenhouse may have a severe problem. The mealy bugs on the tarragon indicate further issues.

Actually dill is a trap plant for aphids. I use them for that. They will attract the aphids away from other plants. They will also provide nectar and habitat for ladybugs.

I hardly see any aphids in my herb garden at all now. The fennel has done its' job over the years collecting the aphids and the lady bug larvae have been eating them up. I have bees from the apiary visiting the basil, lavender, verbena, sage, sunflowers, and onions in bloom every day. The hover flies, and parasitic wasps as well as the tiny native bee also visit daily. I do have other pests. Those darn cabbage white butterflies and spittle bugs and sometimes mealy bugs are the worst.

I rarely see a snail or slug except in the nursery and the soil in the herb garden is very wet.

I know you do want to sell them, but keep some of the trap plants dill, fennel, marigolds around so the aphids will bother them and not your other plant and the aphids will provide food for lady bug larvae and nectar and food for the other beneficial insects and over time you probably will see your aphid problem become a thing of the past. I also wouldn't hurt to put out some terro in the garden too.

I almost had to laugh, imafan, and in some places could use dill as an aphid magnet. (don't take offense!!) Here it is such a short season, between frost and heat, so want it relatively bug free. As far as market, I lose money on it, but it is a treat in the spring so somewhat worth it. Even if I just got a couple plant starts just for my own use, don't need to battle the aphids that come with.

My plants looked OK today, but will check closer after this next round of showers. I'll put out more slug pellets also when it clears. The in ground dill is next to some broccoli I hope makes before the heat. Whatever the case, come June all will be toast in this 4 x 4 area, and then go to something else, perhaps a few basil plants.

I feel like going out and scattering some dill seeds just in case last years' don't self seed.

I usually sow them when I plant tomatoes -- but not around tomatoes. Basil and carrots get those spots.

Maybe. I'll toss some under the apple tree.