I think this is a diamondback moth eating our Russian kale. The kale is the only thing it has attacked. I saw it land on the mint leaf but it didn’t stay. I am in the US Northeastern zone. Can you recommend an organic treatment? I read the plants could be covered with a net to keep pests out. What is the easiest and best method? I was going to remove the damaged leaves. I have added some pictures taken today. Thank you.
This moth is also known as a cabbage moth. The following article will help you with the problem:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cabbage/protecting-your-cabbages-from-cabbage-maggot-cabbageworm-and-cabbage-moth.htm
I planted kale and chard in my garden bed about 50 days ago and they haven’t grown much at all. I thought I had them too close to one another so I spaced them out about a week ago. any obvious reason why they didn’t mature based on my photo?
I do notice a few things.
First thing's first: These types of plants do not like to be moved.
The next thing is the copious amount of wood in that soil. This is not a good source of nutrients, and depending how fresh they are, can actually steal nutrients from your plants.
You can try adding liquid fertilizers, but the wood in the soil will need to be decomposed.
It will decompose, naturally, over a couple of years.
You can add fungi to the soil to make it faster, though. Stropharia rugosoannulata, and Lepista nuda are very good candidates for soil remediation and breaking down debris. These are two edible mushrooms that I use in my soils, as well.
Adding plenty of organic compost will add many microbes that will help with the process, naturally.
Here are some articles that will help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/mushrooms/growing-wine-cap-mushrooms.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/the-importance-of-soil-for-an-organic-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/improving-garden-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/kale/growing-kale.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/swiss-chard/swiss-chard-fall-planting.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
The underneath side of leaves are healthy and no marks. There is no powder to wipe off leaf. Wondering if this is fungus or bugs. What should I do. I sprayed neem oil yesterday. Can I eat it? I cannot find any pictures online of similar pattern
I think these articles have the answers you need:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cabbage/cruciferous-leaf-spot.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/homemade-fungicide.htm
I have tried it before; did not work out, not enough produce. I don't take pictures of my garden
It is very difficult in zone 9. Even with, labeled, hot-weather cultivars have difficulty in your area. There are a few things that you can try, though. After all is said and done, you can substitute with collards, should this not work out.
Here is an article that will help:
rnamental an ornamental plant? I can’t upload my photo: stem has tiny yellow flowers. Will they turn to seed?
Unfortunately, since they have been cut, they will not go to seed. They will not root, either.
These articles will offer more information on Kale:
I don't see any insects on the plants but there are cabbage butterflies on them. They had leaf miners and now that they're finally gone, I have holes in the leaves. What is causing this and how do I stop the destruction? Thanks!
It may be flea beetles, which love kale. This article should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/kale/kale-plant-protection.htm