As our winter days get longer and warmer, many of us begin to
think about summer gardens. Even now as I finish up my indoor house
remodeling tasks, I find my mind wandering outdoors more and
more.
As our winter days get longer and warmer, many of us begin to think about summer gardens. Even now as I finish up my indoor house remodeling tasks, I find my mind wandering outdoors more and more.
While most gardeners think long and hard about what varieties of tomatoes to plant this year and how to stagger plantings to extend the harvesting season, we should also be thinking about approaches to controlling pests.
You may think, Ah, Pests … why think about pests?… we just spray them with Acme Bug Killer and they’re gone. Well, that may seem like a good solution, but I suggest that there is a better way. Without getting on too tall of a soap box, let me just say that pesticides are poisons to the environment and avoiding their use is a good thing.
With that said, here are my five simple tips for planning a garden that will need minimal pest management.
• Remember that most critters aren’t pests. With that said, it is useful to remember that some are. Plant sensitive small plants away from areas likely to harbor populations of pests. For example, if your neighbor has a big ivy bed on your fenceline, it is likely that snails may come under the fence into your garden. Plant those plants that snails love away from the fence.
• Plant diversity is your ally. Growing lots of different kinds of plants and different varieties of the same crop minimizes your exposure to pests. Planting flowers throughout your vegetable garden will encourage many natural predators to your garden where they may also gobble up potential
• Try to avoid planting the same plants in the same locations. Rotating your crops from year to year, even if it is just a few feet away, discourages pest infestations.
• Remember to grow your soil, too. Plants that have a healthy soil are more likely to resist disease and pests. Add compost and mulch to your soil regularly to encourage biological diversity and soil fertility.
• Irrigate accordingly. Plan your irrigation system to conserve water and, in general, avoid systems that get leafs wet. Many forms of fungal diseases are encouraged by wet foliage. Call the City at 779-7247 to request A Water Wise gardening materials.
Eco-Fact of the Week: Entomologists estimate that at best only 2 percent and at worst 10 percent of insects would qualify as pests.
Eco-Web Site of the Week: The Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas folks in Arkansas have a nice page on companion planting available at http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/complant.html .
Anthony Eulo is an assistant to the city manager for the City of Morgan Hill who loves organic gardening. He welcomes your questions, comments, and thoughts and can be reached at en*****@***************ca.gov or 779-7247.
