I've tried that method of raise enough garden so the bugs will leave enough for you to eat. But it seems that they don't know which half is mine. So I'm going to spray something on my corn and would like your input on what you use and when do you use it in order to have full ears of corn?

-- Russell Hays (rhays@sstelco.com), June 27, 2001

Answers

Russell,

Several ways but depends on how much work you want to do. First, what variety of corn are you growing? If its 'Country Gentleman' or 'Silver Cross Bantam' you don't have to worry about worms because them two have long tight husks to prevent worms from getting in. Second, you can apply a few drops of mineral oil into the silk just inside the tip of each ear, after the silk has wilted,it won't harm the corn flavor. Third, you can handpick after the silk begins to turn brown. Fourth, you can use BT but you have to apply it while they are eating. Fifth, you can plant a row of earworm- repellent Cosmos Flowers near your corn. Sixth, if you really have them bad you can use a garlic spray then spray or dust with rotenone.

-- Tom (tjk@cac.net), June 27, 2001.

There is yet another way to deal with this "crisis" - share. The earworms only eat the top quarter, at most, of the ear. It looks icky, but is safe to just cut off their part of the ear before you cook it and eat your (bigger) share in the spirit of live and let live harmony. (I shall now mince away on my be-crystalled tippy- toes, singing and spreading flower petals behind me, for I have shown myself to be the truly fruity little tree-hugger that you've always suspected me of being) :)

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), June 27, 2001.

OKAY!!!!!!!!

-- Russell Hays (rhays@sstelco.com), June 27, 2001.

Soni, I never SUSPECTED you of being a tree-hugger. Fruit-cake? Well ... at least I'm not alone - although I always somewhat regretted the temptations I resisted during the swingin' sixties.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), June 28, 2001.