I hesitated to expand my recession garden because holey leaves and small black dots began appearing on my otherwise healthy mint plant. If I couldn’t take care of mint, which some consider a weed, what luck would I have with anything else? But I needed a ceiling hook to hang an indoor plant so I picked up two packets of seeds at Home Depot. (Total cost: $2.25.)
What to plant? Readers suggested I plant tomatoes, artichokes and snap peas, among others. But I chose two of my favorite vegetables that I remember growing well in my parent’s garden as a child: zucchini and green beans. I put a few seeds in each of five pots. (I’d show you a picture but it’s pretty boring.)
While planting these seeds I took a closer look at my suffering mint plant. Yesterday I shook all the black dots off the leaves, but they had 
reappeared already. Who was to blame? I shook the leaves again because a gardener told me that dislodging aphids was often enough to kill them. Maybe that would work on this pest, too.
Then I spotted a bright green squiring caterpillar. Aha! I scooped it into a glass dish and quickly found 9 more – including two clinging to the underside of my mint plant. Darn you, caterpillars!
I will keep a sharp eye out for any more. As for these guys, they met a watery end. Flush!
Related posts:
Growing food instead of grass: recession garden
All hopes resting on…vegetables
A recession garden may NOT save you money
Reader tips on recession gardens
One month after planting my recession garden
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
My friend just started her first garden and is having luck with cayenne pepper mixed with water. Just spray it on and should help out.
I noticed in the LA Time today that 99 cents only stores have spices for 99 cents each. They have cayenne pepper in the photo.
Good Luck!
I second that suggestion to try different spices. Cayenne or chili pepper.
Scott just had some luck stopping ants with baby powder / talcum after months of problems. They totally won’t walk through it. Don’t know if that would help with your caterpillars, though.
Our green beans and yellow squash have taken off like crazy while some of the other veggies are a little slower to get going.
I have also noticed that the Dollar Tree near my work has a variety of seed packets available. I believe they are 20 cents each!
I planted spring onions (got a fairly good if skinny crop), beets (nada – great leaves, no root development), radishes (same as beets), lettuce (got only one harvest, no regrowth), green peppers (leaves with holes, no berries), dill (two little feathery fronds!) and my main concern is with the snap/snow peas. I have harvested about a couple dozen peas only in over a month, but notice the leaves and tendrils are brown and papery – is this normal? They get direct sun which in SFV is pretty hot, but I water them sometimes twice a day so wondering if I should cut them back or just replant new seedlings. Comments?
May I suggest to those that plant their herbs/veggies in pots, that you first put a protective barrier in the bottom of the pot (over the drainage holes), to prevent pests from entering. You can use garden screen, but, frugally, I cut up used pantyhose and place squares over holes, then fill with soil. Seems to work with preventing most earth-bound pests from entering your pots. Also, spray a mixture of water with a few drops of liquid dish-washing detergent on roses, flowers, etc., to remove aphids…works like a charm!
To Lisa,
Peas (all kinds) are usually cool weather veggies. I grew them all winter and picked peas daily. They are against a fence, so they can climb. The fence also gives a little shade. I want to keep getting peas, so I’ve been watering a lot. But, if they are in direct sun, they are probably dead. Either find a cooler place to plant, or wait until fall to plant them. They are worth it!
Yeah if you’re having trouble with mint, a greenthumb is not one of your assets! And I say this from experience too – my mint is pathetic. It hasn’t totally died but it is not very hardy. However, my zuchini is like a weed! The leaves are huge and the flowers are gorgeous! I’m going to learna a recipe to stuff these guys!
The baby poweder/talk works because the fine particles clog the ants’ bodies…just as useful but costs less would be ashes from your bbq. This is useful for any bug with the hard shell body…fine grit gets under the plates. Also good for slugs and snails.
Aphis are often accompanied by ants; the ants use them as cattle…aphis suck off the plant juice, the ants milk the aphis. For roses and other heavy stemmed plants, Tree Tanglefood can be spread on the trunk and will keep all sorts of bugs from crawling up. But–sticky on the fingers, etc. too. Use an old popsickle stick or tape a couple of straws together to make a disposable spatula to apply it.
Sunset Garden Book is still one of the most useful on the subject. If you can’t find one at a thrift store, check used book stores. Doesn’t have to be the most recent-my favoirte if from the 70’s…especially good for people on the West Coast as they have zone maps, so you’ll know what plants work best for where you are.
On the subject of cheap seeds: DON’T.
Most seeds on sale are old and not a specific variety. Old seeds don’t have a good germination rate, and you’ll need to know the variety to know if it will work in your area. Yes, seeds can be pricey but they still cost less than plants. Maybe you can share a packet with a friend? Saving seeds: Only works if the plant that provides them wasn’t a hybrid. If it was a hybrid, you’ll end up with unpredictable results. Same thing with squash/melons/cukes: There will be cross pollination among them so the seeds from a melon may be a melon/cuke hybrid and produce nothing you’ll want to eat.
I really like the idea about the pantyhose…never heard that one before, thanks!
I did check the date on the cheap seeds I bought and so far the lettuce looks fine. Also trying a wild flower mix so I don’t care what those taste like, LOL!
Lots of interesting tips all!
Well something ate all my peppers. Caterpillars have chewed holes in my petunias.
However, mint! Mine grows through concrete, I cannot get rid of it. I want some but not tons and tons of it.
So I guess we can’t all be good gardeners with everything!
You need some possums. At our house, they eat anything that moves slowly and is smaller than they are.
Ha! I’d take caterpillars over possums any day!!! But thanks for making me laugh. 🙂