We’re deep in garden season here in Northeast Ohio, and while things are starting to grow, so are the problems—mainly pests! In this chatty episode, we share what’s been stealing our squash and cucumber flowers (spoiler: we suspect birds and raccoons), plus the low-pressure, organic-friendly methods we’re using to deal with it all. From fencing and fake snakes to garden-safe sprays and a bit of "let-it-go" attitude, we’re doing what we can and letting the rest go. Whether you’re new to pest issues or just curious what’s working for us this year, we hope this episode feels like a garden chat with a friend.

What We Cover:

Why all our squash flowers are mysteriously disappearing

What we’re doing to deter birds, raccoons, and maybe even possums

A few affordable tools we’re trying: fencing, fake snakes, pinwheels, and more

Organic products we actually use (like Captain Jack’s and diatomaceous earth)

How we’re handling fungus and when we just pull plants and move on

Why we’re harvesting tomatoes early this year (and how we freeze our carrots)

Resources Mentioned:

Captain Jack’s Dead Bug

Diatomaceous Earth for Ants

Arber Bio Fungicide

Our Facebook Group: The Homestead Challenge Community

Let’s Chat: