Janie, rain or not, here is a must-do project for you today.

Take a box of wooden matches (or a bunch of small sticks). Flank each pepper (and tomato) plant with two matches. Push them in so they are about an inch into the soil, but actually touching the plant stem.

In order to do it's nasty work, a cutworm must totally encircle the plant stem. Anything that prevents full contact is a deterrent. One match (or stick) will do it, but I'm a big believer in redundency.

The longer you delay doing this the more plants you will lose.

I called Jon's Dad and he actually knew about that one and had gotten out there first thing this morning and done it. I had never heard of it before.

I was afraid he wouldnt do anything about it. He doesnt even like the peppers. He puts them out for me. I try and wait til stuff gets some size on it before picking but with all of the bugs and wildlife eating the garden and the weather it may be better to get them while I can. I would love to leave the bell peppers on til they turn red and same with atleast some of the jalapenos but if I do I may loose them all together. Everyone here has had a really bad time with bugs.

Hi Janie,
Sounds like everyone had a nice 4th I know we did, and of-course still eating leftovers today!
I am wondering why our bugs are only minimal, I've found a couple of tomato horn worms (they make wonderful snacks for our chickens ha-ha that causes such a ruckus in the hen yard!!), and stink bugs, most of the bad kritters have gone over to the 3 big sunflowers we planted! I have no problem with that! The only thing I have had to use seven dust on is the eggplants. They seem to be very tasty to something almost invisible to the naked eye! And there is a minute size bug that loves my okra also. Other than that we are fairing well. Picked a few Brandywine tomatoes today, and some yellow variety and many rutgers are ripe. Love fresh tomatoes!
Well we leave for KOA on Mon & will return home Fri. I can't wait!