On 20 Mar 2016, at 14:59, Jane McGary wrote: > I wonder if there is a way to destroy cutworms early in the season There is, but it takes some work: hand picking the caterpillars every evening shortly after night falls. Use a good flashlight. At first, you'll miss many of these destructive critters but rapidly you will learn to pick out cutworms in your field of vision, even the tiny ones no thicker than pencil lead. Drop the worms into a tub of soapy water and flush them down the toilet at the end of the evening. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Z. 7-8, cool Mediterranean climate