in the medicinal herb bed, we have a horseradish plant. apparently it has been used for treating coughs and as a diuretic in homeopathic remedies. lately though, this plant has been nothing more than a magnet for harlequin bugs. what i did not know was that this plant is a member of the brassica family-a cousin to broccoli, mustard and cabbage. as you can see, the plant is looking a little stressed. that didn't help-it attracts more of the buggers.
on close inspection, there are lots of them in all different stages of life. it was time to make them go away. since we try to use natural methods in the garden, pesticides weren't necessarily and option. knowing that we are expecting some rain, using diatomaceous earth also wasn't an option. that left one method for removal and luckily for me i had two of them conveniently located on the end of each of my arms-two hands...
armed with a large bucket of water, some ordinary dish soap and a pair of scissors, i removed all of the plant parts with bugs and eggs. into the soapy water they went and there they drowned. the soap reduces the surface tension of the water and the bugs sink rather than skim across the top and fly away. 
bye bye harlequin bugs, it's the end of your love affair with my horseradish plant!
not all of the bugs in the garden are pesky. this guy is welcome anytime
so is this tiger swallowtail
remember our lovely little cornfield?
this is what it looks like now. deer trampled it and ate the corn
the only little stalk left, i doubt it will do much though.
atomic cherry bombs-hot cherry peppers
over by the asparagus bed, we are a bit overrun by weeds and in the middle of it is a single pink petunia. 
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