Growing Small Accomplishments

Apparently it doesn't take a lot to excite me, so bear with me as I gloat over what is a giant accomplishment in a small package.

I grew a zucchini.

Yes, I know. Zucchini and squash are pretty common to grow, fairly easy and all that, but we've had an infestation of squash borers for as long as I can remember. If you've ever had squash bugs and vine borers, you know the terror of having a happy healthy plant one day, then the next you're left with a hollow stemmed mushy wilted mess.

Borers live in the dirt and just wait to wreak havoc from year to year. You get one borer and they'll eat their fill from the dirt on up through the stem, totally destroying the plant. To add insult to injury, they'll then lay eggs in the soil so the next generation can do the same the next year.

It's total devastation when you've spent a winter dreaming of fried squash for dinner.

It's also kind of embarrassing when people ask you what you're growing and there's no squash, zucchini, or winter squash on the list. They're basics for crying out loud. What kind of veggie gardener doesn't grow at least one of them?!

So yes, this year I get to gloat: I grew a zucchini. It looks like I'll get at least a few more, too, but I'm not holding my breath.

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise.  When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

Comments

[Amy]

I'm impressed!

[chris]

arg - i have the vine borers too!! it really IS terrible to not be able to grow a darn zucchini - did you do something to get rid of the things, or was this year just luck?

[Renee]

Chris--I've read a few ways to get rid of them--one is to dust the hole you're putting the plant in with diatomaceous earth. Another is to pick the borers out of the vine and pack the empty part of the vine with mud.
For me I just didn't plant anything they could eat for the past 2 (3?) years and they died off (I hope!)

[zigojacko]

Woohoo, get on, and it looks a beaut too! :D