I'm gardening in zone 7a with hot summers, and I've been having a tough time with cucumber beetles affecting my succession planting of cucumbers and melons. My August plantings didn't survive the beetle onslaught, even after trying kaolin clay for protection. However, it looks like my late August plantings that I treated with kaolin are doing well and haven't shown signs of the beetles. I'm wondering, do these beetles typically go back into the soil around September? Should I avoid planting in July and August in favor of late August for a quick harvest before the frost?
1 Answer
Cucumber beetles will stick around as long as the weather stays warm. In northern areas, you might see just two generations in a season, while warmer places can get three or more. They tend to decline in fall, but I haven't noticed them disappearing from my garden just yet. Just this morning, I found some newly hatched ones! They stay active as long as temps are above 50°F, and they die off once it hits 14°F, so holding off on planting won't really help. Starting early in spring with healthy plants and using preventive measures is the best strategy.
That's an interesting point! I was surprised too that I hadn't noticed them lately, especially with it still being hot here in September. It's hard to believe they just vanished! I think I'll keep using the kaolin clay. Thanks for the insight!