Broccoli & Brussel Sprouts - Bug Infestation (growing, bugs, vegetables)

[Babydoll9983]

They aren't very large, these tiny grey bugs alllll over my broccoli and brussel sprouts. They don't move, I thought maybe they were dead. That was until I brought the broccoli inside and noticed they had crawled all over.

Its very frustrating because it is getting near freezing here in CT at night and this is the last of my harvest. What does anyone recommend is the best way to rid the broccoli of tiny bug infestation once brought inside?

Before, I rinsed them off...wrapped in wet paper towel then put in a ziploc in the fridge until I was ready to prepare. Once opening them again, tons of little bugs were all over the paper towels. When i looked closer, they were still on stems of plant. Even after I tried to pick them all off...after I cooked them, I found even more. This is gross. I'm all about growing my own food, but this is frustrating. How do the grocery stores do it? Pesticide?

[Inthesierras]

We had that happen last year. I soaked the veggies and that helped a little bit. It was impossible to get them all off. We had cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower that were over taken by those little grey bugs. We went to the local nursery and they had an organic spray that worked wonders. This year we had no problems.

The grocery stores get their produce from large scale growers that use pesticide ALOT.

[Babydoll9983]

OoOoOh, I will try to soak them. The first year that I did my garden (last year) I used some spray safe for vegetables on my squash and other things, but did not do that this year. Seems like I will need to make some improvements for next year (third year).


Thanks for responding!

[Inthesierras]

I learn something new every year also. My garden is VERY different this year then just 5 years ago.