Edit: Doing an internet search for cabbage holes and closer inspection on both the pictures and the plant itself, I found 3 green worms that I would not have seen otherwise. How do I make sure these don't visit again? Is the cabbage too damaged? Thanks!

Yes, you can see a looper in the first picture. Hard to tell if the meristems are eaten and gone, but time to start a plan B. And row cover at time of germination/transplant will keep them off. Or Bt after chewing starts.

Dan

Wow, there really is a worm in that first picture!!!

With your peppers, you say there are flowers. Do you find dropped flowers beneath the plant? Peppers tend to drop their blossoms if the temperatures dip below 60 at night, or above 90 during the day. Here is Wisconsin, it has been tough to fit into the ideal range, because if it's not dipping below 60 at night, it is above 90 during the day, so I am getting a bit of blossom drop as well. However, once the fruit sets, it doesn't drop, so I've managed to get a few so far that are growing.

Joe

Joe,

The blossoms do drop, yes. The temperatures don't drop below 60 or haven't I should say. The temps have definitely been above 90 for the last couple weeks. The plant has grown, that's for sure just no fruit.

Blossom drop is almost always caused by 1 of 2 things: temperature stress, or moisture stress. Like I mentioned, below 60 at night, or above 90 during the day, and they toss their flowers. From what I understand, nighttime temps above 75 can also cause blossom drop, but here in WI, it's rare to be above 75 at night. As for moisture, they will toss flowers if he soil dries out too much, so they must be kept moist, but not soggy.

As for your plants now, well, you have to hope for some temperatures under 90 for a while, so you can get some blossoms to set fruit. You could try a translucent shade cloth, to at least provide a little relief from the sun, or you can just cross your fingers and wait on mother nature.

Joe

I live just north of you (kokomo) so we have the same temps my peppers, hot and sweet are just starting to take off and grow. With all the rain this year it was a slow start.Peppers and tomatos like it hot and dry. Watering twice a day may be more than they need. I only water mine once or twice a week. And they do better with lots and lots of sun. Shade will make them tall and spindly.

I sprayed ONCE with BT this year after finding worms on my cabbage. No more worms. I was so impressed. (Last year I pulled my broccoli, kale, and cabbage after a total loss...my first year with bracchia and I didn't want to spray. tried to control by picking off the worms. Doesn't work.)

Here is a link that might be useful: BT Worm Killer