this post was submitted on 27 Mar 2025
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Debating if I buy these bugs or if I might be able to keep up the manual removal until I can get some attractors flowering. I saw one ladybug in the wild so that’s promising but no more since.
I figured gardening would be a cheap hobby (and with bare bones minimum it can be) but I am absolutely getting a crash course in disease/pest management with the heirlooms and also the need for feeding.
Melbcat’s meds and vet appointments are quite expensive so I feel guilty for constantly spending money on something that doesn’t have a high return. It means I’m really spending for myself. It’s just one of the few hobbies I’m able to maintain these days.
You can just give up on the pumpkins this year. Last year most of my broccoli was enjoyed by the possums. Last year I had a shit crop of tomatos. One year hook worms ate through the stalk of all my beans. Sometimes the bugs win. Failure is part of gardening. The ladybugs won't necessarily solve the problem either then you'll be out more cash.
They look strong for now and are beginning to put out female flowers which I hand pollinate. I just see one plant in particular is slammed and they’ve spread onto others now too.
Edit: A bit worried about how late I planted though.
I just want pumpkins :’(
The time I grew cabbages, they took a heap of space and water and weren't that big. Then I saw them for $3ea at the grocers. I've never grown cabbages since.
I bought zucchinis from a fruit shop and I know for certain they were grown in someone's backyard.
My cabbages tend to split. Never bother with onions or plain carrots, only the colourful ones. The effort to cost ratio isn't worth it. Grow what you like that's harder to get hold of.
If Melbcats needs med prioritise Melbcats.
Gardening can be an expensive and time consuming hobby, particularly for initial set up, but it is highly rewarding over the years as you watch things grow and is worth every penny in my opinion.
Just know that's it's also okay to write off a season and try again next time; you'll still have the basic building blocks you have today and can add to it next time whilst learning from any mistakes.
It's a lifetime hobby that spans years, it's not about just one crop that'll guarantee you instant results.
Think of it like learning to play guitar if you're serious about it.
So sort your cat, do what you're already doing with the aphids and next season plan to solve this in advance ❤️
There is enough for cat meds and care! I make sure of it. I’m just being tight, and frustrated that I’m not doing better. My circumstances keep sabotaging my goals.
I might get the eggs for a higher chance of them sticking around for long term pest control and maybe start planting the flower seeds I have in recycled containers to try and attract/keep the insects around.
You're doing awesomely. Please don't beat yourself up. Just think how many people you know that haven't even got close to what you've already achieved? I get that it's frustrating, heartbreaking even, but you're learning so see it that way?
Circumstances can seriously impact you and that's ok. I left my beloved bonchi (Bonzi Chilli) die because of real life circumstances for example. It happens, but then there's next season!
No matter which you pick they probably won't stick around, but they are truly machines that demolish aphids. Once their food is gone they will leave regardless unless you establish that full ecosystem which is hard. I've just had some of these move in on their own, have a few indoors too!
Just be warned that it means you'll get more birds and spiders and then you'll need to buy a lion to deal with those (obviously joking on the lion but it does escalate, beautifully, and you're making a positive change to our shared environment).
You can also buy permanent insect homes for things to just move into of their own accord :)
Thanks, I guess I just have to keep trying.
The insect homes are a good idea.
I've had some luck with red cabbages - they seem to resist cabbage worms and splitting better than the green ones. I did plant them over the winter though as winter works better for broad beans & cabbages. Not summer crops imo. Brussels sprouts are good to plant now too, and are much easier to eat than a whole cabbage for just one person. Very donate-able too.
The nice thing about broad beans is that they dramatically improve the soil, AND they grow well over winter. Even if you don't like eating them, they are donate-able and the soil improvement is well worth it to prepare for next year's crops. The dry spent stalks do wunnderful things to compost too.
This is also the right time to plant leeks and onions/garlic to winter over and get a head start come Spring. The ground is still warm and you can add water as required at least for this month and next. After that it gets a bit cold. Onion thinnings are great as 'spring onions', I can't tell the difference from the bought ones, and they're much much fresher.
The pumpkin tribe has probably had its day for this summer - may not set much more fruit due to declining day length, and not enough sunshine/heat to ripen them. Imo these definitely need to be planted in spring.
I agree with Catfish about carrots - only bother with for specialty ones that you can't buy. Lotsa work, needs very good, very deep soil and even then the crop is small. The foliage is very pretty though - makes a nice border for a flower bed.
I started snow pea seedlings for the nitrogen fixing because my friend’s family eat salad and the sowing time on the pack was appropriate, how are they over autumn and winter?
Would love to plant Brussels sprouts and leeks but I’m already kind of running out of space.
Do you think there’s enough room to squeeze a pea plant in with the pumpkin and tomato in the small pots? Probably not but they’re still going and I don’t have more stakes
I’ll definitely start the next lot of pumpkins earlier next year. I probably shouldn’t do them again so soon in the same spots but maybe if I use manure and unleash the beneficial bugs then
Peas will keep growing if they get some sunshine, but may not set fruit unless they get a nice warm day when flowering. They keep doing their magic with nitrogen fixing however. Fortunately, the young foliage is edible and delicious. Worth a try pretty much wherever and whenever.
This is just my opinion, but I'd rip out the pumpkins and tomatoes (they are very unlikely to ripen now) and plant something else to keep the soil healthy. The pea/bean tribe would be excellent. Then come spring you can rip them out and plant your pumpkins again.
If you want to do onions/garlic in those pots, then manure and bugs will be very beneficial. The onion/garlic tribe take a long time to mature (comparatively), so planting now or soon makes sense for harvesting in summer next year. Leeks are quicker to mature so maybe think about planting these in late winter. Leeks do pretty well planted fairly close together, so they are space saving. I have to say that homegrown leeks are bloody marvellous, far nicer than shop bought. They tend to be thinner but so much tastier.
Ah, the peas have only recently sprung… oh well it’s practice.
The tomatoes are still ripening and looking healthy but will probably be on their way out as it’s getting colder.
crying Do I have to?
I’ve got around 6 of these little guys. Two I pollinated today and four are starting to plump.
spoiler
I do have some onions I was going to take to the pantry but can’t make it down. I could find space in the soil.
Um, I know it hurts, but the pumpkins are unlikely to ripen. Ditto tomatoes. It's not the temperature, its the day length. The equinox is past and the days are getting shorter so plant puts one last effort into fruiting then keels over. Maybe leave them another week just to see. They do look nice & healthy though.
You’re right of course. I planted when I should have been harvesting. I just don’t know if I can bring myself to do it