Muriel, sorry to hear the pepper spray burned your plants (AND you still have caterpillers!) UGH.

Just my humble opinion, and certainly use your own judgement with what you're comfortable using, but I've used dish soap (2tsp. to 1 quart water) sprayed on my plants and had good results in ridding the aphids and caterpillers, if you'd like to try that.

I personally never use anything that I wouldn't eat or could rub on my skin.  (Cayenne pepper if too concentrated will burn your skin)

Hope this is helpful.  I know it's frustrating!

The iris's are so pretty, I thought I had some pretty ones but not compared to yours, have to go shopping some new types.

 

Hi muriel my computer decided on your page, I was just typing a comment and suddenly it went to your page, Your pics are absolutly gorgeous they make me want those too, can I have their latin names and how to grow them , did you win on flowercomps, because you should they are a credit to you , what a pleasure to look at, are you growing them around a pond? hope to hear from you !

Muriel, there are bugs with feet, called assassin bugs that are good bugs too. They are bright orange and black. They will not attack you and as a matter of fact, are afraid of your finger. They also eat bad bugs. They reproduce on tomato plants and other vines in the garden. Don't kill them, they are good.

In spring Im going to plant seed potatoes in the ground and in a 5 gallon bucket and see how each one does. I can't wait to start. Im going to plant vegies that I actually like to eat. No Lima Beans or Beets sorry mom but its my garden so there. Put in a good word for me up in heaven to the rain fall department.