Don't know if the vines will survive or not, because iI was never able to find the entry sites to do surgery. From what you describe it sounds like you did all the right things and they have a better than average chance.

As to the second part of the question- where are you? If you're 8b it would be too late to start seeds and you'd be chancing it with transplants. Can't speak to other areas but someone should know.

I try to explain the never ending battle with SVB's to my family up north and they look at me like I have three heads.

Good luck- Lisa

I'm San Antonio, so I think that's 8b. Ugh. I sure hope the plants survive. If they don't, I may just see if I can grow them inside.

I've tried explaining about the SVB to my West Coast friends and they don't quite get it either. lol

If you're in SA and you look at the Fanick's nursery website they have a recommended plant dates for spring and fall for vegetables that I find very easy to understand. I know there's supposed to be one available through the extension agency, but haven't ever found it.

And yes you're in 8b. Good luck with the vegetables. Sometimes it's an exercise in frustration, but when it's a good year it can be very rewarding too.

Lisa

I have had good luck keeping them covered with a light row cover till they start to bloom and then I uncover them and It takes a while to the squash borer to do its damage. I do keep my eye out for them. . Then I do it again in the fall. It is not a full proof strategy. But it was what was recommended by one if the plant gurus hanging around caring for the demonstration plot at the organic Natural Gardeners.

So it's possible to use a row cover even now? I'm not sure how that would work given the flowers bloom every day pretty much and the SVB is laying eggs multiple times a week right now. Would this be a matter of just doing 100% hand pollination?