Fencing, even ugly chicken wire and whateverwecanfindtostakeitwith ugly fencing, can keep the rabbits, groundhogs and deer from totally gorging on the garden.

 

But walking out to the damage of potato beetle larvae, cabbage worms,

 

 and those mean little Japanese Beetles

 

 

is making my blood boil

(actually the heat is doing that, but I really hate the beetles more, so I will blame it on them).

 

Yet, I am determined to grow this food without dumping insecticide on, so plucking the pests off and into a bucket of soapy water will have to do.
 

 Perhaps I should be very thankful for all that is blooming and happy.
 

Clockwise: okra, runner beans, sunflowers, zinnias, eggplant, and beautiful fragrant dill (which will be harvested over the weekend along with an overabundance of cucumbers for pickle making).  

 

Or just grow enough for my family AND the critters.

 

Yes.. that's a good plan.

Although it would be nice to see more of the helpful winged munchers like this in the young asparagus bed.