Organic Gardening Pest Control Methods

First, if you have a garden, you will have pests. There is always some little critter looking for a free meal, and your luscious garden produce looks a lot like a buffet to many insects.

Pest control

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Pest management can be broken down into 2 parts, the first of which is, or at least should be, pest prevention. The second is pest control. Prevention is always better than dealing with the aftermath. Control is what you do when you failed to prevent. We understand this with auto accidents, and disease, but often forget when it comes to our homes and gardens.

Pest prevention

Pest prevention in gardens is really a matter of keeping your plants healthy. This can be accomplished by:

Choosing the right varieties Grouping plants according to elemental needs Attention to the plants internal calender Soil structure Soil fertility Soil moisture

If these factors are balanced, your garden plants will be healthier, and more disease and pest resistant, thus preventing the majority of pest problems. Failing this, or if other factors have conspired to bring on a pest invasion, or if some pests just managed to get through the prevention barrier, it may be necessary to resort to pest control.

Pest control types

Organic pest management methods are separated into 3 types, biological, and botanical and physical.

Biological

Biological pest control is one method suitable to organic gardening. Biological pest controls include lady bugs, spiders, praying mantis, and other bugs that feed on the insects feeding on your garden.

Botanical

Botanical pest management agents are made from plant oils and naturally occurring pyrethrins. There are products available to target and safely kill unwanted pests, but like most commercial insecticides, they will kill beneficial insects as well, so caution should be exercised.

Physical

Physical pest control is the removal of pests by hand. This is often done with a stream of water, a net, or by picking the bugs from the plant using the fingers. This method is often slow and tedious, but can be effective in many situations.

Organic Gardening Pest Control Methods

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The Secret to Growing Carrots is Simply Using the Right Methods

The right way of growing carrots:

There are more than a hundred varieties of carrots, but typically only 4 groups are used for planting. The carrot plant needs more moisture than other vegetables you may have grown in the past. Drought is one condition a growing carrot will not tolerate. An extended period of hot temperature is believed to cause the vegetable to have an excessively strong flavor.

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Best way to plant carrots:

When growing carrots the seeds can be placed in the soil during the early part of spring. They should be gently pressed into the dirt about a ¼ of an inch and spaced apart 1-1/2 foot at the minimum. The seeds should then be covered with well-rotted compost, and then kept moist until they sprout. Once they become settled in the soil, a layer of mulch should be added to preserve moisture.

Carrot care:

You want to use a loose, well-drained soil with a P.H. of 5.5 to 7.5. Growing carrots do best when the soil has a high-level of potassium. Adding wood ashes to the soil will help accomplish this.

Garden pests:

A common pest found on carrots is the carrot fly. It begins life as a maggot, feeding on the outside of the vegetable. Moles, mice and rabbits can be a problem for your carrots as well. Use a pest netting to help keep them off your crops.

Growing carrots is a great way of getting exercise, saving money at the grocery store and ensuring your family is eating healthy vegetables.

The Secret to Growing Carrots is Simply Using the Right Methods

Grow Calendar 2011