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First time gardener how to get rid of the bug on my cucumber plants. #869017

Asked May 18, 2024, 12:48 PM EDT

Hi, my brother-in-law has advanced stage pancreatic/liver cancer. He wanted to grow some plants in a garden this summer to make salsa. I’m trying to help his wish come true. I have planted onions peppers tomatoes as the basis for my garden for him. He has also asked about cucumbers for pickles. It seems most of the plants are doing OK. My biggest problem is my cucumbers are being chewed up by some bug. I cannot spray with any type of pesticides because he only eats organic. I’m wondering what I can do to prevent this bug from demolishing my cucumbers. Also a few of my tomato plants are turning yellow. Is that overwatering? I’m going to send a picture of both and thank you for helping me find a natural remedy for these bugs.

Carver County Minnesota

Expert Response

You will have to find the insect (if it is an insect) to identify it.  I can't identify it from the damage.  What I'm seeing could have several causes: slugs, cucumber beetles, rabbits, anthracnose, hail, and so on.  Here is a good diagnostic site:
https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/vegetable/cucumber/index.html
Dennis in St. Louis Park Replied May 18, 2024, 4:46 PM EDT

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