Flea beetle observation

TZ-OH6 · June 12, 2008

I noticed something an odd thing this year in that the flea beetles only attacked my seedlings after I planted them and mulched with lawn clippings. Let me clarify a bit . my seedlings, about 80, have been sitting in the yard a few feet from thier final destination "hardening off" for a month or more. I put them out soon after potting up to take advantage of the sunny weather but the harsher conditions and lack of fertilizer stalled them. No serious bug problems. Some of them went into the ground and were immediately mulched with lawn clippings. The flea beatles hit them right away, but the potted seedlings nearby were the same as always. I didn't notice this in previous years because I never had so many potted seedlings sitting around after planting/mulching.

I generally spray once or twice and the problem goes away quickly but I'm wondering if this has more to do with the age of the plant/establishment in the garden, or the aging of the grass clippings.

Anybody else ever notice anything like this?

June 12, 2008	#1
TZ-OH6 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mid-Ohio Posts: 847	Flea beetle observation I noticed something an odd thing this year in that the flea beetles only attacked my seedlings after I planted them and mulched with lawn clippings. Let me clarify a bit . my seedlings, about 80, have been sitting in the yard a few feet from thier final destination "hardening off" for a month or more. I put them out soon after potting up to take advantage of the sunny weather but the harsher conditions and lack of fertilizer stalled them. No serious bug problems. Some of them went into the ground and were immediately mulched with lawn clippings. The flea beatles hit them right away, but the potted seedlings nearby were the same as always. I didn't notice this in previous years because I never had so many potted seedlings sitting around after planting/mulching. I generally spray once or twice and the problem goes away quickly but I'm wondering if this has more to do with the age of the plant/establishment in the garden, or the aging of the grass clippings. Anybody else ever notice anything like this?