Flea Beetle on brassica leaves, ways to reduce the damage

[@LifeIsBestLivedLeisurely]

Looking classy Charles. Jacket looks warm with a stylish college professor aesthetic.

[@LifeIsBestLivedLeisurely]

@Basfordiron I'm not hear to give gardening advice I'm here to appreciate it. I also appreciate a sense of style and will vocalize it accordingly when I see fit to whomever I see fitting of a compliment. Comment sections are for commenting regardless of subject detail.

[@LifeIsBestLivedLeisurely]

@Basfordiron furthermore I also commented seperately in regards to the helpfulness with applicability to this video and its subject matter as I was just having this issue with my tomatoes. That comment resonated less with the general public (basis of my comment moving toward the top and you negatively speaking out against it) I believe the public was in agreement charles did in fact look classy. It was a small contrast from his more casual wear seen throughout his countless educational videos and was a simple observation.

[@dag118]

I like the advice and the jacket. Relax...lol

[@LifeIsBestLivedLeisurely]

@@dag118 right? 😁

[@geverniveup]

We planted our brassica bed a few weeks ago and were so excited for the kale, arugula, and radishes that were coming in nicely....went out this morning and noticed an infestation of flea beetles. Tiny hole all over everything! My heart sank! So this video is perfect timing

[@joannedaniels1446]

Interplant edible petunias. The flea beetles of all ages are attracted to them and they get stuck in the fine hairs and the"honey dew". Just discovered it this year and it's working well. Struggled with flea beetles for years now on the Kenai Peninsula in AK!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Joanna, nice tip. Don't see these seeds available in the UK

[@joannedaniels1446]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig bummer! Got mine from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds in the lower 48. Great company!!! Love their mission!

[@naturegirlmia]

Once again YOUR true too your word!!! Our netting covered cabbage plants are pretty free of the little BEASTS, our uncovered non-netting covered collard greens have several on them, More netting coming this week!! Thank You Sir for your wonderful input and time!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Mia and good luck with that :)

[@louiseharper7850]

Charles I don't care if you garden naked, your the best teacher!!! Love your films, and you've inspired us to make a new vegetable plot, thank you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Ah wow, a nice compliment, great result, and unlikely!! 😀

[@louiseharper7850]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig spoilsport 😂😂😂😂😂

[@eriklane4808]

Glad to see I’m not the only one... flea beetles are by far the worst pest I have to deal with! Thanks for the tips, Charles. I have some of that netting and it’s helping a lot 👍🏼

[@obviouslytwo4u]

Humans are the worst pests. FCAT!

[@sandrad2506]

When I was young, if you purchased a cabbage from the greengrocers it would need a good wash to remove the caterpillars slugs and other insects, apples would sometimes have a maggot in them, or worse was to discover half a maggot. But now I take reassurance from these insects can survive on this food and it must be healthy for me. If they can live on it , so can I.

[@BlackDragonWitheHawk]

I find the most disturbing trend to be, that even biologicaly (I think in english that would be organic?) grown apples from the store are sprayed or waxed or something here, in order to make them look better- result is they rott from the inside out

[@dragoniousmaximus7304]

eat the insects in the vegetable or fruit. build that immune system baby!! eat the dirt! roll around in it. be the dirt!

[@2gooddrifters]

Some fruit wax is made from shellac, a beetle, making it unsuitable for vegans.

[@louiseharper7850]

@@2gooddrifters 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@louiseharper7850]

You know the best apples to eat, plant a tree! Nothing tastes better than one you've grown...now back to reality, for the intervening five years or so whilst awaiting your first crop, buy British apples when you can! I worked for fruit importers for 30 years, and there is not one wax but lots of waxes. British apples are not treated with most, and in some cases with no waxes! I know they are seasonal but the apples you eat from abroad may have been in cold storage for many months before you eat them, so if you can buy fresh British apples, or out of season stored British apples, grab them off the shelves.

[@honesty247]

So fitting the timing of this video. I just discovered that’s exactly what I’m dealing with right now. Crazy thing is, is that these plants that have it aren’t even in the ground yet. They are in trays in my greenhouse on my deck. I think they may have been in my Organic potting soil I bought. 😫

[@amynelsongreen3243]

Thank you, Charles. I am inspired to utilize more covers (mesh now and fleece in spring/fall) to up my game in the garden. And love to spend some time with you at Home Acres with my morning coffee. So relaxing and informative. Love your work!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Go for it Amy and thanks

[@merylslabbert3570]

Wonderful! ..audio back to normal, so a marvellous look/ listen at the damages done by insects -- but even so, such a flourishing variety of splendid plants there to inspire us amateurs..as always.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks Meryl

[@bhuld0115]

Audio is much better. Thank you for updating the mic.

[@jayjay4649]

Only recently found this Channel,really addictive and relevant to the Ordinary grower,Thank you Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@Jreichh]

Wow look at those beans!! Seems like a big easy crop I'd love to try it.

[@pauldavies1710]

James - and utterly delicious steamed straight from the garden

[@singncarpenter6270]

I live south of Austin, Texas and we plant the Brassicas in the fall here, looking forward to the cooler winter temperatures. The first time I planted brussel sprouts, Kale and broccoli, the flea beatles destroyed my plants before I knew what they were or how to control them. Now I use row covers and neem oil spray if needed to discourage them, as I don't like using pesticides that will kill beneficials and this has worked well so far. I recently started following your videos Charles and although there is a vast difference in our growing climate (I'm in zone 8A, where we get summer temps over 100 degrees F, 38 C), some things like these nasty little beatles, we do have in common. Thank you for the informative videos. I learn a lot from you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Interesting! and many thanks

[@debbiet5130]

Flea Beetle is one of the few pests I get trouble with here in central Sutherland. I sowed some Nine Headed Bird (an Oriental green) late last summer and it was destroyed by them. I thought I would never sow it again-but I think now I will sow it as a trap crop! Thanks for this video🙂

[@ud1976]

Fast becoming the David Attenborough of no-dig!

[@WATCHINGTHEWATCHERS]

He is one of the first to show how to do no dig on KZbin well and he has a bit of heart.

[@BalticHomesteaders]

These things are a nightmare for us. Last year was particularly bad and with our very mild winter (usually -25c here but not this year) they will probably been even worse. Will have to get some of that mesh some how. Thanks Charles, great video content as always.

[@imaknotafrayed8136]

What a pesky beetle! I hope you will be able to overcome it. I got two of your books and now I’m immersing myself in vegetable garden. Thank you! Charles, you’re the best in KZbin when it comes to growing food. I love how you keep you videos short, to the point, without lengthy introductions and unnecessary distractions. I can tell a lot of preparation goes into it.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice of you to notice and comment, I could say a lot more and keep it as pithy as possible

[@jembo1959]

Thanks Charles we had a frost here in Kildare Ireland on the 15th of May😥 and I lost my tomato plants I had planted in the polytunnel, I also has some seedlings in trays coming along nicely as back up plants, and they to were killed off, so we start again, this gardening lark is testing me, as I said before the polytunnel blew down three times last year with the storms, my garden was flooded it came 10 feet from my house, but do you know what I am not giving up, and thanks for all your videos👍👍

[@anniebrazier5878]

I've started to use Bio Net it looks to be almost the same as you use, it's a great covering..I like the way that the rain goes through but the nasties stay out ! Thanks as always for the information...

[@fellatwou]

Hi from Queensland Charles, another fine video. Thankyou for your gems of wisdom. Your no-dig philiosophy is brilliant. Stepping on garden beds is the best... My mother will be aghast!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful - yes some scripts need rewriting 😀

[@denisestalder4696]

I grow Rocket strictly as a flea beetle lure for my other brassicas, since that appears to be their favourite.

[@wendywalker8242]

Thank you Charles. I have just taken on an allotment and apart from initial creation of beds want to use the no dig method. I sowed radish at end of March and managed to get a good crop but clearly have flea beatle even with protection. So glad have grown in other brassicas to go out rather than direct sow. 🤞

[@mypony891]

I wanted to say thank you for posting that chart saying when to plant the brassicas family in zone 6. I always have to wonder when I should plant mine when you talk about planting yours but with the chart up there it was very helpful. Thanks.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful!

[@janicealderson4329]

Thanks Charles for your reply. I got really confused as the places here will sell anything they can at any time! You are so right.

[@denisebrady6858]

Great Video once again- I had a huge problem with Flea Beetle on my Aubergine but have kept them under control with Neem Oil & being vigilant. Oh Charles I am so excited as I have the most amazing bed of Red & Green cabbage / Bok Choi & Wombok- I am just thrilled as I was becoming quite despondent during all the heat we were having here in Brisbane Australia- but I am back. Cheers Denise- Australia

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing Denise and well done, it sounds like summer is almost impossible there, and you now time it well!

[@aliaroberts8046]

Yes! I get them every Spring on my aubergines/eggplants! They are quite tricky to prevent-

[@JanesGrowingGarden]

Thanks for this Charles - I don't think I've grown rocket yet without it being munched by the little critters!

[@peace4peaceful]

Havent seen this. Im back, looking n learning in a very nice n friendly enviroment after searching help for blossom end rot on toms and soil improvement. I've been elsewhere, got stressed out due to the co2, carbon debate..which i need like a whole in the head. So very grateful Charles that you keep this education to just gardening...for this newbie its enough..love this site.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hi John, noce to hear. Blossom end rot is simply lack of water.

[@peace4peaceful]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig really.. i just read it was calcium. I thought id been watering too much. Thankyou.

[@foxglove8836]

Brilliant, I could hear you :-) All my veg are doing well. apart from parsnips, i have 2 growing lol. Take care every one.

[@senglily1124]

Dear Charles, thank you for the info. I watching your channel again. ..🌱

[@kashifrancis5537]

Thank you they're invaluable tips, I would recommend to all gardeners. Flea beetles have got worse year on year, I'm told, in the hot and dry weather. I've resorted to using fleece covering and enjoying fat, pristine radish for the first time in many years.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear this Kashi, and yes they are getting worse! Not everywhere thank goodness.

[@hitchjack]

Your content is fantastic regardless of sound or video quality Charles, but you must be pleased to have edward back 😅 - my veg plot is looking fantastic all thanks to you. Thank you for everything you do 👍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks Jack :)

[@JBNat]

Very timely upload for me. My Kohl Rabi have just been set upon by the beetles, could see loads of them on the leaves today! Seem to be leaving my other Brassicas alone as they are much further along, but the Kohl rabi are much smaller. Thanks so much for the good information.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nce of you

[@farmerjones5479]

Thank you Charles. Planting starts for my Fall garden now in Zone 7a. Going to secure some netting.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best of luck!

[@LL-oc1xw]

This is helplful - thank you for showing that great gardeners battle pests eating their labors at times, and sharing ideas. It is so consoling. I've learned that if I want bok choy, it must be under a fine netting. The fine netting or mesh stops most things - the few that get past if I don't secure it well are not decimating the entire patch. Other crops I put under wider netting (1 inch squares) that prevents deer, and my two cats, and others from getting at things, yet spiders, other hunter/predators, and pollinators get through. My friend laughed when he noted my fear of most spiders inside the house does not apply to garden spiders that I watch and encourage! They're part of my attack squad and they belong in the garden.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear. It does feel good to understand the garden community!

[@FlavourlessLife]

Oh dear, upon flea beetle ravaging my garden last week, I thought I'd cut back a lot of my kale today (salvaging what's left, reducing their habitat) leaving only the fresh juicy young leaves. Then I went ahead and sowed some radishes and pak choi.... I sowed direct!!! If only I'd watched this video first 😟

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best of luck!! I sow pak choi early August and undercover to reduce flea beetle damage, transplant mid August outside

[@veemcg3682]

We in Northern Ireland have more rain so usually have more trouble with flea beetle in very dry springs. I've tried to soak the garden and drown them all! I've also tried sowing sacrificial rows of rocket and radish or nasturtium which work pretty well. William my brother and I have decided to buy fine mesh netting for our garden.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing Vera and good luck with the mesh. Put it on as soon as you have sown or planted.

[@tonymatthews445]

No idea if anyone else has made the comment, but you can reduce flea beetle numbers by spreading golden syrup ( I think it was) on some card. Hold the card sticky side down and slowly wave it over the patch. The beetles jump up and stick to the card. Dispose of as you wish. A Bob Flowerdew tip.

[@lolthien]

Love the videos... probably should work on the transparent lettering though for the overlays. Can be hard to read over dark areas of the screen. Super helpful video though!

[@Zill7711]

Thank you, I have had a lot of flea beetle damage on some salad leaves. Now I know what to do 😊 As the salad is just for us to eat I just tell my family if it’s good and tasty for flea beetles it’s fine for us to 😋

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds good Liz, yes fine for home use, to a point!

[@Zill7711]

Hope I will recognise the point when I see it?

[@sammu7777]

@@Zill7711 When there is more protein that roughage - that is the point!

[@mountainhobbit1971]

I have noticed in my gardening experience that if I plant seeds outside too early the flea beetles take over. Here in northern New Mexico, USA they seem to love arugula and kale the most. The life-cycle of the flea beetle does seem to be related somehow to early spring colder temperatures.

[@mrcat5992]

yeh flea beetles... tried to avoid them by growing my radish in pots, but they still got to them, a small application of neem&soap on the soil surface has suppressed them to a point.

[@louiseharper7850]

You should have a permanent spot! Enjoyed the show even more than usual! You know Charles since Lockdown I've found the G World programmes a lot more watchable, mainly because the content is more interesting with viewers cameo spots, well I find it so anyway!

[@margaretterwilliger949]

Thanks for this video. Here in the South, U.S., Arkansas, flea beetles are most problematic on my eggplants. I think I will let them get older in my greenhouse before I put them out and see if that helps. Also had similar root damage on my radishes.

[@robertfay1150]

Good helpful comments, I’m in burnham on sea last year was a plague of pestcy things - and there indestructible try to catch um at 90 mph. Only hope is as you say cover plants . Apart from that they are beautiful colors and I wish I could move half as fast ! Keep no digging . Robert

[@JuliaJulia-mi3wf]

I love people like you 🤗 you help a lot!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Julia

[@steffipavitti]

Charles would you possibly think about doing a video about salad leaves bolting/running to seed. This early warm weather we’ve had in the uk has wrought havoc in my salad and herb beds. I pretty much follow to the letter what you plan out in your ‘Salad Leaves for all Seasons’ book, and so far I’ve had amazing harvests, but bolting is a mystery to me 😶 Thank you again for your videos they are so valuable 🤗

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes I can but there are many variables. I am guessing you grew brassica salads - not all salads are equal!

[@lagoya]

I feel your pain, Mr. Dowding. Here in Arkansas it's tough to grow eggplants because the flea beetles love them so much. I think they would do alright if I had them in containers up off the ground, as the eggplants I start on tables outside are always fine until I move them into the ground.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Ah that is maddening, good luck

[@dolovfm]

My radishes and calaloo (amaranth ) have had a haircut, unlike me. Im sure its the flea beetle. Garlic spray seemed to work 50/50 definitely an improvement, will try the mesh. Your timing is impeccable, was literally just doing damage assessment. Many thanks

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sorry to hear that, good luck

[@LittleJordanFarm]

Thank you for the info..flea beetles can be a pain. Blessings

[@TheFunctionalForce]

Year one and learning a lot from your courses and books, I have to say flea beatles are LOVING my brassicas, especially the calabrese. I’m starting to cover them now (they also have what I think is butterfly eggs) and next year I’m considering building a cage to protect them all season! 😅

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, and it's a difficult year for brassica pests, which love the dry heat of summer and are more prevalent at this point generally. Flea beetles will diminish through autumn and if you can just keep your plants alive with enough water, they should surprise you from about mid September

[@TheFunctionalForce]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig oh wow Charles, I didn’t expect that! Thank u so much for always throwing your bits of infinite wisdom! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🌧🌱🌞

[@amanda69]

I have them in my garden this year for the first time.

[@MariA-nw5qx]

I feel your pain!! Flea beetles have been a major problem in my allotment plot. We have a rapeseed field in our area, so the problem won't be going away.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh dear. Apparently the rape growers are suffering too and even giving up growing it.

[@mamoe3]

I had flea beetles last summer on my tomatoes. I’ve rotated in garlic and introduced beneficial nematodes to the soil. I’m hoping this will get them in their larval stage. We’ll see how it goes. I live in the USA Pacific Northwest.

[@دلالجةيوسف]

معلوماتك قيمة ومفيدة ادعو الله ان تنجح مشاريعك المستقبلية. واتمنى ان تتوفر الترجمة وشكرا جزيلا على شروحاتك 🌹🏆💎🌷

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

تشكرات!

[@tamuroble14]

Tanks for this important info, i m very happy with my baby plants, there are growing so fast because your tips. Im from Argentina, so sorry for my inglish!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are very welcome Tamara and your English is better than my Spanish :)

[@tamuroble14]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thank u!!!!!

[@dawndawn6946]

Good morning! You’re looking well, Charles! The flea beetles ate my eggplant leaves.😩 I planted brassicas in a 12” raised bed; the flea beetles didn’t find them, I guess. The eggplant is in a no dig bed in the ground. I left the plants to see if they recover. A couple of them look really bad, but they’ve all grown to a decent size.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Dawn

[@mr.tidygarden]

Stay safe everyone have a productive summer. Great tips . Irish Garden channel.

[@derew-posid]

What a beautiful garden you have! And who ate your radish?

[@LifeIsBestLivedLeisurely]

Thanks for the info. They've been going after 2 of 5 of my tomatoes hard. Luckily just those on the two beds of 50

[@Cordelia0704p]

I havebt had flea beetles so far this year. Have already seen leaf miners and rust on my garlic like your garlic video that popped up in my suggested videos this morning. Last year I had flea beetles in mid summer right through fall but it was my eggplant leaves they were after.

[@matildawhittington7132]

Charles- you had a haircut! Very dapper. Anyway- thanks for the video, I see this damage nearly every year and thought it was slugs!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Matilda. I wielded scissors myself :)

[@alexandercord9228]

Thank you for all your advice

[@michael-annhancox7179]

My Sorrel is covered with holes and this makes perfect sense. Since it's a perennial, I may cut it back in a couple of weeks and see what happens...

[@ralph885]

Just an incredible pest. Hey Charles, the text on the two informational slides are a bit difficult to read, just FYI. Love the video

[@robertomahony1221]

Another brilliant video from Charles I have mesh I got from China I'm going to use it for the purple sprouting broccoli last year my broccoli got distroyed by the white butterfly it's a ongoing fight with them so hopefully I will get the better of them this year

[@maryjohudson8059]

Dill planted amongst the brassica attracts lace wing which feasts on the caterpillar of the white butterfly. Great companion plant!

[@AUSTIN12345631]

have had good results with Neem Oil

[@johnnieblackburn3182]

I have taken to using tulle fabric for covering my brassicas. An inexpensive remedy for the cabbage moth.

[@jasonhatfield4747]

I learned what flea beetles can do my first year. I planted a couple of egg plants and they absolutely decimated them! I almost gave up on them but left them in the ground and later that summer they recovered and actually produced a fair amount of fruit. The flea beetles pretty much disappeared for the later part of the year. I'm hoping they do the same this year. They seemed to prefer the eggplants over everything else.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am guessing you are in the USA because here in the UK, flea beetle is to not attack aubergine leaves! Only Brassicas. And this year they are in retreat because of the cold, wet weather! Nice that yours recovered.

[@BrunyeeSalers]

Flea beetle is a nightmare for farmers and gardeners - on the farm in July last year, we lost 5 acres out of 6 in our hybrid kale grown for winter cattle feed. This year, in my garden (no dig after my course with you) I have list all my Brussel Sprouts - going to try nettle tea to keep them off...!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Ah wow a bad loss, nice to hear about your garden Richard :)

[@robc2536]

I've had flea beetles for the past few years on some crops. Spraying them with soapy water seems to control them somewhat. A larger problem in my garden is squash bugs. They destroyed all my squash last year.

[@darlenemitchell3679]

I live in Canada and they are so bad because we have more canola fields. They have attracted this beetle to the gardens.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh dear! I hear this from people in the UK, who are close to that kind of farming.

[@Melly.K11]

It's also because many parts of Canada had a very mild winter last year. We've never had flea beetles at my community garden, this year they destroyed half the plants in my plot. They even killed off my mature tomato plants. By the time I realized they were there, it was too late for netting. I've tried insecticidal soap, diatomaceous earth, and sticky traps. Nothing has slowed them down.

[@chiphan7849]

I really like your videos. I like to grow vegetables.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice

[@npantic]

My Pak Choi and Mizuna plants almost destroyed by these. I am now using them as a trap crop :) I'm delaying now planting broccoli / cabbage until they get stronger. Radish and Brussels Sprouts not affected for the time being.

[@GardeningWithJohn]

Hi Charles its the same here in Hampshire, they are a nightmare. I don't direct sow and last year they still heavily damaged my Brasicas Greyhound Cabbage, Swede etc as you said they lay off in autumn and luckily they all recovered but it really held them back. As normal this year I sow in modules, keep in the Polytunnel and plant out when ready, but no sooner I planted them out, than the flea beetles were at them. Like you I had issues with leaf miner too last year. I've got some more Brasicas on the go just in case. All the best. John. P S. I was surprised my Brasicas survived and came through it last year, but they are getting worse.

[@wendysalter]

Yep, I have the dreaded flea beetle! They seemed to arrive last year when the field next door was ploughed up after many years lying fallow, They got to my young brassicas last year and my radishes this year. I have never had the problem on radishes before.Fortunately, because it has been so dry, I have delayed my brassica sowing, so hopefully, the flea beetle lavae will be gobbled up by the birds, slow worms and toads by then.

[@rifarmerbob4588]

It must be a taste preference for British flea beetles. ;-) While my brassica are under constant assault from cabbage worms, the only thing flea beetles in my area ever attack are eggplant. Dusting the leaves with diatomaceous earth takes care of them. In a pinch, pulverized lime seems to also help. With either one, you need to reapply after a good rain.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Interesting and yes so different! Nice tips

[@rootofthevineurbangardens1823]

Been waiting for a new video 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@SmallGardenQuest]

It didn't helped me in particular because we don't have flea beetles, but I am sure it will help many others. Great video Charles!

[@camperspecial9666]

They are my nemesis here in Upstate NY. Very difficult to control organically.

[@richardoverthrow1358]

I work in agriculture in the UK and it's flea beetle that is forcing farmers to give up oilseed rape. Other crops have different species of flea beetle but the damage is the same. On small trial areas we have found that fleece/netting is 100% effective but it's not practical on broad acres. Re planting later to avoid the critical parts of the life cycle, in oilseed rape crops the beetles simply adapted to this and shifted their activity periods. It worked for a year or two though.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Gosh that's amazing, a pest which has beaten the power of chemicals, and no wonder they are worse for us gardeners. Maybe helped by mild winters too.

[@MeandYouHello]

Thank you for sharing

[@markhedger6378]

They don't seem to like red cabbage,but do love the green

[@annasellborn2590]

Thanks for sharing 😊 We now have radishes growing in small groups with their friends under a piece of mesh, they seem to be very fine so far but we have a colder climate. Btw will you show how you grow basil? Or maybe there is a video already? We are thinking of trying to grow our own basil. Wishing you a lovely Sunday ☀

[@bully08873]

Seeing as it’s been so dry I’m going to try diatomaceous earth dusting and see if it helps. Normally the amount of rain we get makes it too frustrating to try. The best content, as always, thank you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good luck!

[@AAaa-uj9yj]

I use surround. It's made from kaolin clay. I have had better luck with that than DE. www.arbico-organics.com/product/surround-wp-crop-protectant-omri-listed-kaolin-clay/natural-organic-plant-disease-control

[@opencoop4268]

@@AAaa-uj9yj , I'm hesitant to spray anything, but after seeing permaculturalists giving it the okay I am thinking about using it this year for cucumber beetles and on squash. Do you find it's true that you really "have" to use it well before the insects are out in order for it to help?

[@vintagemaison3553]

I once read about the Victorians spreading good old fashioned treacle onto boards, placing under leaves, then tapping to capture the beetles as they jump off. This morning, I did just that and yay! Caught half a dozen plus a good few greenfly. Not sure if it will be practical if you have a lot of plants, but might be worth a go.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes I describe similar in the video description, works to a point :)

[@sheilasanderson9681]

With the really warm weather that we have had in Aberdeenshire this summer the flea beetles have been rampant for the first time.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Well well! Two sides to the coin, glad you had warmth

[@myrustygarden]

Regarding the rhubarb spray it does say it is poisonous if ingested and even washing plants it can still be present so I wouldn’t risk it on my veggies, but there is an option to split the leaves and use as a collar around young plants and anything eating to get to your seedlings will/could ingest the poisons instead.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

This is helpful Ali, thanks

[@melaniegreen5823]

Beneficial nematodes can help, as they will eat the larval stage of the flea beetle (which is probably what is eating the root portion of your radishes, Charles).

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Expensive though

[@garybrown9719]

Great to see you are human Very great video

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you very much

[@janicealderson4329]

I bought some bok choy from a garden centre here in S France in May and one plant went to seed by June and the others suffered really badly from flea beetle - which i didn't notice until i pulled it up!! So has the radish. It was under mesh with some red cabbage at the back - which is still ok. I will delay this next year and i thought i should have grown it outside the mesh - until i saw this video of yours! this is my first year of growing and it is not as easy as i thought! My soil is light and my onion sets didn't bulb out - my garlic collapsed - and my lettuce hasn't hearted!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hang in there!! You have noticed some difficulties, good you are working it out. Nurseries often sell plants at the wrong season!

[@richstone2627]

There's not much in this world I hate but I do indeed hate flea beetles. Here in my part of Northeast OH U.S.A. they are in huge numbers. Since I refuse to use chemicals the insect barrier mesh and learning to live with some holes is all I can do. Your Broad Beans look great. Thank you

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Rich

[@Bpicci]

Another great vid Charles, thank you!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

My pleasure!

[@carolparrish194]

I presently have flea beetles on my otherwise healthy potato vines. I cant but help noticing the very beautiful red poppies I love them but can't seem to get them to grow for me.

[@michaelhayes9892]

They grow best from root cuttings.

[@SayHelloToOblivion]

I'm in Florida and I've just discovered this flea beetle. They love eating my pepper plant's leaves (shishito peppers, sweet banana peppers, etc). Annoying little things. I haven't sprayed my plants (all organic using just neem oil and such). They are tiny and when I see them I just crush them.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh wow, a persistent pest

[@lukibenjamin741]

thank you.

[@margareta6647]

Thank you so much for the precious information 💥

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Our pleasure

[@kf3671]

My early planting of small brassica seedlings was completely diminished by flea beetles. I read somewhere that they don't like damp soil und mulching with grass clippings help. And it did. No signs of damage till now. Don't know how long it lasts, but should help them to get through their toddler phase.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great tip

[@lynnrushton7458]

I recently purchased a walk in brassica tunnel, which I’ve planted up Kale, sprouts turnips & red cabbage.....most of the kale is fine, but the turnip leaves are being devoured 😩 also a couple of the sprout plants. Pesky blighters‼️

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So many brassica pests!