|
GARDENER'S
READING ROOM
Fertilizers,
Pest Control and Soil Management
Organic
Gardening
Beneficial
Organisms in Your Garden
 Spring
is almost upon us: the time of annual renewal. Perhaps it
is also the time to re-think how we garden, how we deal with
pest problems and other dastardly garden situations. To promote
a healthier way of gardening Sky is offering many natural
products for dealing with these situations.
Aphids
always seem to be a big problem for our customers. Rather
than heading for the nearest pesticide, try ladybugs and lacewings.
Both have larvae that are voracious aphid predators. Using
natural methods of insect control will help bring about a
balance in your garden between the aphids and their predators.
It may take 2 or 3 years, but you should notice indigenous
aphid predators returning such as aphidiid wasps and aphid
midges. Encourage beneficial insects by planted some scented-leaf
geraniums (rose), herbs, and wildflowers. Many adult beneficials
feed on the pollen and nectar of these plants or prefer to
lay their eggs on them.
Sky is
also offering trichogramma wasps, which parasitize the eggs
of fruitworms, hornworms, loopers, and cabbageworms. Bt spray
is another organic control for these insects. For codling
moth and apple maggots, Sky carries lures (pheromones). Hang
a grocery store apple coated with tanglefoot and the pheromones
and it will lure these nasty creatures away from your developing
fruit. Also, remember that spiders and many beetles feed on
a variety of pest insects. Before squishing that ground beetle,
remember that it might be the one to eat those slugs that
are going after your dahlias! A good fast guide to beneficial
insects is the STOP before you spray! guide, published by
King County, and usually available here at Sky.
Sky
continues to offer natural solutions to soil health and soil
insect problems. Beneficial nematodes attack the soil-dwelling
larvae of craneflies, root weevils, and fleas. If your soil
is low in worms (perhaps from too many years of pesticides
and synthetic fertilizers), we offer earthworms. Now, adding
earthworms to poor soil won’t do much good if you don’t
also add worm food—organic matter. If you do, the worms
will multiply and your soil will quickly grow richer, more
crumbly, and better aerated. You can also add a few earthworms
to your composting bin.
For
your green kitchen wastes, try red wiggler composting worms.
These are a different species than earthworms, smaller, less
hardy (protect from freezing temperatures), and adapted to
live in the very rich environment of a worm bin rather than
in the soil. Set up a worm box for them, and soon your peelings,
cores, coffee grounds and other wastes will become luscious
black gold, adding phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium for
your garden beds.
If you
have a water feature, pond, or birdbath, give some thought
to controlling the mosquito populations (West Nile Virus)
with mosquito dunks. These Bt-based dunks will kill mosquito
larvae without harming birds, pets, or wildlife.
Sky now
carries beneficial soil microorganisms in several convenient-to-use
forms for replenishing depleted soils. Studies have shown
that plants grown in soils rich in beneficial microorganisms
grow stronger roots, require less water and fertilizer, and
resist pests and diseases better. We carry several soil inoculants
in tablet or powder form, plus the Whitney Farms Lifelink
products (see article) which blend fertilizer and inoculant
for one easy-to-use application.
Throughout
the growing season, check with us about new, natural products
for all your gardening needs. We are always looking for ways
for you to have a luscious, bountiful, easy, and HEALTHY garden.
Have a great spring!
By Susan Ragan-Stuart, W. C. N.
Skylights Spring 2003, Vol 17, No. 1
Other
articles on fertilizers, pest control and soil
management
Other
articles on organic gardening
|
