Walking With Grandmpa [my father and grand-daughter]

Walking With Grandmpa [my father and grand-daughter]
"I like walking with granpa his steps are short like mine." (dedicated to my dad who passed 4/1/10)

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Garden Pests

This morning when I woke up I dug out my seed catalogs again for the up tenth time :) I am soo ready for spring, we are ordering 10 fruit trees and 2 grape vines this week so since one thing leads to another, I thought today I would talk about our garden insects. The lists of pests is extensive, and they vary in size and shape as well as how they attack the plants. A few of the more common ones (to us)  that I have had experience with are  Japanese Beetles, Cutworms, Cucumber Beetles, White flies, Yellow Jackets, Tomato Horn worms, Cabbage Loopers, Corn Earworms. I do not use insecticides (never have narrowed down the one/ones that make my tongue swell) so I am always on the look out for organic ways to keep my gardens safe. There are the good bugs that help and are beneficial, as such I do not want to harm them just to kill the bad bugs. A few of the good bugs that I know of are the Spined soldier beetle, praying mantis, ground beetles, lady bugs and green lacewings, Again I know there are more that's just the ones I am familiar with.
Over the last 3 years I have tried different organic sprays some I purchased and some I have made, they did not seem to work very well, or as well as I had hoped. I did try last year a spray that had only two ingredients and it was cheap to make. Mix in a spray container (I made sure to label it) about 1/2 cup of alcohol (rubbing), to 1 quart of water with a few drops of liquid hand soap. I sprayed around the ground every 3 to 4 days for a couple of weeks. After each application I also sprayed plain water over the leaves of the plants in case I got any on the leaves. It is my understanding that this is good for mealy bugs, but its good for others as well. This I did in one garden and the other garden I just planted the plants that are supposed to attract the good bugs (caraway, cilantro etc) and the garden with the plants around did fair better last year, so I may just go with that unless someone has a better idea?
I have also planted in the past Mint plants around a few areas where I have problems with ants.This summer I intend to try another method I have been told is beneficial, planting Basil close to tomatoes, it is supposed to make them a better flavored tomato as well as protect against a variety of pests, has anyone else heard of this?
I have also heard Mint planted around the house (outside) will deter mice, it worked last year with ants so I think I will try this, living in the woods we do find a few mice (mostly in the barn). May be able to get rid of mice and ants at the same time!
If anyone out there has tried earth friendly products that have worked, please let me know I would love to try them!
We had a few really cold nights last week, but so far so good!

8 comments:

  1. A variety of wasps will eat Tomato Horn Worms.

    I recall someone on line talking about how -after he figured out what the little wasp eggs were - he had a sustainable, self propogating pest destroyer.

    http://www.vegedge.umn.edu/vegpest/hornworm.htm

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    1. Thanks Russell I looked up this site and it was very interesting!
      Kim

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  2. Good luck! From my experience- I wouldn't plant mint anywhere that I would mind it taking over. Because it will!

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    1. Haha! I did find that out last year I thought it would stay in the three places around the house where I put it, but no such luck! I do love the smell when mowing the grass though...On second thought I don't think I will plant any around the barn!

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  3. The best organic mixture I've found that has worked for me is combining water, dishsoap and oil in a spray bottle. Spray it all over the plant and under each leaf.

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    1. Thanks I will try that this year, sounds a lot better than what I used last year! :)
      Kim

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  4. For the past 4-5 years, I've planted loads of basil around the tomato plants, and have had very few tomato worms. I usually plant 2 tomatoes, then a basil, 2 tomatoes, then a basil, etc. Seems to work like a charm! My father in law uses BT on his tomatoes if he sees any sign of worms. Good luck! Thanks for the info on what works for you.
    ~~Lori

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  5. Good to hear you have tried the basil with the tomato plants and liked it, I cant wait to try it! I will though plant it your way 2 tomatoes then a basil.
    Thanks a lot Kim

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