Managing our little friends the "bugs"

The vegetable season is in full swing and I know that you have gotten your tomato plants and other vegetable transplants in the ground and off to a great start.

Here in Lincoln Co. growing a vegetable garden in the spring time is a fact of life for many residents. The joy of playing in the dirt is a very rewarding experience because you have countless hours working and managing your crops to provide a bountiful harvest. Sometimes our gardens don't provide a bountiful harvest. There are many reasons this doesn't happen but for the most part our little friends the "bugs" cause severe heart ache and pain when growing a garden.

This past week, while monitoring the Lincoln Co. 4-H Community Garden I noticed the leaves on the bell pepper plant curling and looking sun scorched. I knew our daily temperature readings had not been high enough for this type of leaf damage. My investigation continued by looking on the underside of the leaf where I noticed a sugary honeydew substance being excreted by a soft bodied and pear shaped insect. This is a very familiar culprit that can cause quite a bit of damage in a little bit time.

The aphid insect was causing severe damage to our bell pepper plants. Other effects and symptoms include stunted and deformed plant parts as a results of aphid infestation. Most importantly aphids are excellent transmitters of several viral diseases, such as the mosaic viruses, that cause leaves to shrivel and infect a wide range of hosts.

To combat aphid populations on vegetable plants you can use a variety of products. Active ingredients Malathion and insecticidal soaps do a wonderful job of reducing the aphid population. If you have aphids or other garden pest in your garden and you want a good control measure please don't hesitate to call the Lincoln Co. Extension Office at 706 359 3233 or stop by 288 Northeast Peachtree St. Lincolnton, Ga. 30817

Other Lincoln Co. Cooperative

Extension News

Clarks Hill Bee Keeper Association will have its membership meeting on June 9, 2008 at 7:00 pm at the Lincoln Co. Club House. If you are interested in the hobby of bee keeping please come join us and get involved in our new association. Dues is $15.00

Lincoln Co. Cattlemen's Association will have its bimonthly meeting on June 2, 2008 at the Lincoln Co. Home Café at 7:00 pm. This months meeting will be on 2008 Cattle Price Outlook. If you are in the cattle business please call Lincoln Co. Cattlemen's Secretary Mrs. Debbie Dent to RSVP a seat and meal.

Lincoln Co.4-H Show team will have its 1st annual show the Lincoln Co. Shoot Out at Serendipity Farm in Lincolnton, Ga. on June 14, 2008. Come out an enjoy fun and fellowship while watching are 4-H'ers show the best steers and heifers in the state. 4-H Show team will be selling BBQ Sandwich plants.

Lincoln Co. Farmers Market - The Lincoln Co. Cooperative Extension Service is looking for interested individuals who are interested in form- ing a farmer's market association. The association will be able to provide locally grown fruits and vegetables to the citizens of Lincoln Co. Please call the Extension Office if you are interested. A grower does not have to be large to participate. Growers are not limited to just fruits and vegetables. Participants can sell crafts, jams, jellies and eggs. Please call as soon as possible because we want to have an introductory meeting for local growers.