I Hate Aphids... HATE

Last week I decided to bust into my kale.  I didn't bust into it earlier because I was optimistically thinking the leaves would get bigger.   I know that being a container gardener the veggies will not get as big, but I was hoping for crazy success!  Anyway, I decided my lunch would be perfect with some sautéed kale.  I am washing my kale thinking about how I am going to season it when I stopped in disgust.  I have APHIDS!!!!!

I swore... A LOT!

I kept thinking about how my husband wouldn't touch the kale with a 10 foot pole if he knew there were little tiny bugs eating and breeding on my plant.  He hates bugs near his food because it grosses him out.  He didn't grow up with fresh veggies in his garden so he isn't accustomed to situations such as these so I am 100% sympathetic.

I head out to look at the damage.  I am also creeped out and disgusted by the infestation.  AND I am mad....  Mad at myself for not practicing what I preach regarding checking your plants every time you water them.  Mad at the lady bugs for not appearing to eat them.  Mad at the aphids existence.  Mad...  Okay, mostly mad at myself.

During my lunch I created my plan of action.  I have a jet stream function on my sprayer on the roof.  This means I will have to move the plant through the house, but I am going to have to risk it.  If you spray them off they are dumb enough that they can't figure out how to climb back on the plant.  Then if that isn't succeeding I will use my favorite organic pesticide.  The particular product I use contains neem oil which has a big risk of burning the leaves which means I could lose the leaves, but it won't kill the plant.

Here are pictures from the pre-water spraying.

Sad news...  I had to use the pesticide spray and my kale is a skeleton of its former self.  I am hoping it will leaf out again before it gets too hot, but I don't have a lot of faith.  

Lesson of the day, practice what I preach.  The plant would have been saved if I would have kept better eye on it.