I am growing my own veg for the first time this year but last year we had a really bad black fly infestation followed by another of caterpillars. What would be the best way organically of saving my harvest? If it can't be done organically what would be the next best alternative?
2007-03-10 22:11:00 · 12 answers · asked by wattie 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
serious answers please! (not bug spray!)
2007-03-10 22:17:36 · update #1
Why no pic for you lola l? If you can dole it out then you have to take it!
2007-03-10 22:21:22 · update #2
organic bug killer, natural insect repellent, non toxic pest control, safe bug ... pure orange peel oil, nature's own botanically-derived, organic insecticide
http://www.bugsrdone.com/
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You can exchange information on this link or just ask questions
http://www.organic-growers.com/forum/Part1/question6.htm
Good Luck!
2007-03-10 23:23:36 · answer #1 · answered by LucySD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try Nature's way - tannin, nicotine and caffeine are all natural products designed to keep pests at bay. So spray with your left over cold tea or coffee, or more noxiously shake up a handful of cigarette butts or filter tips in hot water, strain and spray. Another way is to plant buckwheat nearby. This attracts wasps, which will also eat the aphids. And plain soapy water works well. You can also use a weak solution of washing up liquid. This may be a synthetic chemical, but is quickly destroyed by soil microbes. Modern chemical sprays are often based on pyrethrum derivatives, so an extract of chrysanthramum leaves should also work. Have fun!
2007-03-11 01:36:54 · answer #2 · answered by Ian Donaldson 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there - my dad is an avid gardener and vegetable grower for over 30 years - I remember him using a home made mixture of garlic and water with a touch of veg oil (I think) in a spray bottle - gee it smelt strong but did the bugs hate it! He used it mainly for household/patio plants but may work also as a natural deterrant for your vegies. He was also not averse to using chemicals if nothing else worked, but I'm sure now there are many organic or less harmful ranges of deterrant sprays to the environment out there. Good luck :)
2007-03-10 22:20:04 · answer #3 · answered by missbailey73 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Floating row covers act as a physical barrier between plants and bugs. Unfortuately, they also keep out pollinators. So... if you are protecting greens, use a floating row cover. If you are planting flowering vegetables, simply remove the row cover for a few hours each day, and maybe once overnight to take advantage of night pollinators.
For most bugs, good and bad, use of diatomaceous earth will rid you of them. It is 100% chemically inert. It is a powder, and can be irritating if inhaled, so use caution in its application.
The absolute best way to prevent insect infestations is to focus on "plant positive" things, rather than "pest negative" things. In nature, predators prey on the weaker creatures first... and, insects are plant predators. So, focus on raising healthy plants, and you'll have fewer problems with insects in the first place. Compost, trace elements, drip irrigation, and use of physical rather than chemical barriers can all help achieve this goal.
I hope this helps!
2007-03-11 04:20:22 · answer #4 · answered by Willy B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to plant marigolds and onions in between plants that were bug prone. also a tobacco tea will work on some bugs, just soak some butts overnight, strain and put in a spray bottle. I also used to just plant more so I had some for me and some for the bugs and we were all happy.
2007-03-11 03:35:00 · answer #5 · answered by lilabner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A safe, natural biological control for caterpillars is a product known as Bacillus thuringiensis - sold as BT, Dipel, Thuricide, etc. It is very specific to caterpillars so it doesn't harm beneficials. It is safe on veggies. Read the label.
2007-03-11 03:22:23 · answer #6 · answered by Frank C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the BEST way?? I use nature,, what likes bugs?? birds!! so erect a couple of purple martin houses by the garden and other types to attrack various bug eaters!! DO NOT kill the toads, frogs, lizards etc you find as these are huge bug eaters, even many garden or garter snakes eat bugs,, "google" around and learn which bug are bad and which are good!!! some lady bugs eat your plants while others eat those lady bugs!!
2007-03-10 22:29:45 · answer #7 · answered by fuzzykjun 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I consider what is going to stated. i will upload that when calming the concepts and physique with the breath by way of giving your interest to it then attempt and enjoy what you're doing. Making tea is a marvellous experience. while making tea merely make tea! while strolling merely walk then sitting merely take a seat! existence isn't complicated in case you pay interest to what you're doing. It turns into complicated once you quit paying interest to the now.
2016-10-01 22:33:20 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can use dead caterpillers juice and spray it on plants or use garlic juice spray it on plants .herbs grown around your veggies the smell from thes plants keep bugs abay .test things out .
2007-03-10 22:21:00 · answer #9 · answered by josh s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put all your used egg shells in the garden... pests don't like the feeling of the shells egdes when then crawl over
2007-03-10 22:21:04 · answer #10 · answered by wolfwagon2002 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋