Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 6:36 pm Post subject: A Tip For Cut Worms
When I say Cut Worms I am referring to those great big green worms that like to eat tomato plants. They can decimate an entire crop of plants in no time. I read that if you plant Marigolds between the tomatoes you won't have a problem with Cut Worms. I tried it in my tomatoes this year and I am glad to say it has worked completely. My plants are looking great with plenty of blooms and beautiful foliage. I had slugs in everything but the tomatoes so I planted some Marigolds in between all my other plants and it looks to be helping with that as well. I will keep you posted. Hope this little tip helps some of you.
I have read that but have never tried it even though I do raise marigolds in my flower beds. I have spent many hours in my tomato patch removing those stupid worms. Keep us posted as to how well the marigolds coninue or don't continue to work for you. I see that you are growing them in your hay bales. I think that is sooo cool. I meant to try that this year but somehow we never did buy the hay.
Do you mean Tomato Horn worms, green with a spike sticking up on their tail end, and about 2 inches long and as fat as your little finger? One of those (or a whole bunch) could eat a lot of tomato plant pretty quickly.
Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:18 am Post subject: Cut Worms
Yes, those are the ones. The marigolds have apparently done the trick. I have not a single one all season. My cherry tomatoes are starting to ripen. We picked 7 this morning.
Thanks for the report. I don't know how DH is gonna feel about my planting marigolds among his tomatoes since I have gradually taken over much of his former vegetable garden with flowers in the last few years. I can just imagine his response when I tell him I need to plant marigolds in part of what he has left.
Every morning I walk among the tomato plants looking for hornworm poop. Once I see it then I know a hornworm is somewhere on the plant. Sometimes it will take me five minutes or more to find it because they blend in so well.
Regarding cutworms, they are most active during the start of the growing season. To deter them just place a toothpick in the dirt where it will be in direct contact with the stem of the tomato plant with about 1" above the ground. A cutworm has to be able to completely encircle the plant in order to do it's dirty little deed. I've also heard of people using the cardboard toilet paper tubes, but I wonder how well they would hold up if there was a lot of rain?
If you have chickens, feed those tomato horn worms to them. Throw one into the pen and watch the chase! The chicken that has the worm won't get to eat it because the others are all wanting it. The only one who doesn't enjoy this game is the worm.
I don't have chickens, but I know someone who does. I've even wondered if you could use them for fishing bait! lol
Mary, do wild birds eat them too? I think I could rig up a small contraption where the hornworms couldn't get away, but the birds could eat them. I know it wouldn't be as much fun as watching the chickens, but hornworm recycling? would be better than having to squish them. I once stepped on a really fat one and the stuff squirted all over the place - including on my husband's face and shirt!
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Guess I will just have to keep on smashing them. Yuck!