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Vegetable Gardening

Do cabbage looper eggs overwinter in soil?

15 years ago

Even though we have had overnight temps in the 20s already, today I found a ton of loopers on kale growing in buckets. How careful do I need to be in disposing of the soil? I usually try to reuse potting mix (with additions). Will looper eggs survive a zone 5 winter (in a garage)?

Thanks,

Laura

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Comment (1)

digdirt2
15 years ago
The eggs don't but the pupated larvae of the moth that lays the eggs can over-winter in soil. You can do a couple of things: 1) spread it out on a tarp or plastic outside for the winter so it is well exposed to the cold and snow to kill the larvae, or 2) pour boiling hot water through it several times over the winter and stir it up well to kill the larvae.

Dave
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