I'm so frustrated.

[mrschiefmac]

Being a beginner with no one around you to help is sooo frustrating. I had about 15 plants (basil, oregano, marjoram, tomatoes, ground cherry, mints) in a south facing window indoors. They were all happy and productive. My husband bought me a greenhouse last week. (an inexpensive portable one). I set it up, put my plants out there and in just a couple of days they are all wilty and dying. My basil went from lush to brown and dead looking overnight. What happened? I opened the doors during the day and closed it up at night. I live in zone 8-9, it's 60-70's during the day and 35-55 at night. Right before I moved them out of the house I noticed they were covered in little gnat looking flies. Could those be the culprit? If so, does anyone know what they are? and how to get rid of them? Thanks for any help, I'm on the verge of giving up gardening. In 3 years I have grown very little for us to eat and i'm having a hard time justifying the $$ I'm spending. :mad:

[dirtundernails]

Yes, the flies could be the trouble. I had them in my houseplants, and research said they were fungus gnats, They had little worms in the dirt that ate the roots. The remedies recomended were beneficial nematodes or yellow sticky traps stuck in the dirt which would get the adults so a couple of life cycles are required to eliminate the nasty things. Also, diatomaceous earth is supposed to cut the wax film on their body and they dehydrate. All but three of my plants died.

Please don't give up!!!!

[hippiehillorganics]

Peacefull Valley has nice organic control on those little nasties.

[deb65802]

Don't give up it even happens to the best of us. Sometimes plants just die. :( But this time it does sound like fungus gnats were the problem. One way to get rid of them is to spray with a soapy spray. One i use is ivory soap in a 5 gallon bucket filled with rain water. Spray once every few days. Just wash the leaves of your herbs before eating.