Hi everyone. This is a short entry to ask you all to support our efforts to plant a community garden in Wellborn, Fl by voting for our garden on Justmeans.com (http://www.justmeans.com/contestidea?ideaid=NDky). We can win up to $50,000 for the garden if our garden idea gets the most votes.
The garden was started in the foundation of a cabinet maker's shop after 2 teens burned it down to divert attention from another robbery. Wellborn is a small town with few other businesses. The fire left a big black hole in the center of town. From the ashes, we've planted a community garden.
You can help us expand the services we offer from the garden by voting! Please take just a moment to visit the above link and vote for our garden.
Thanks!
A Blog for Container Gardeners who want to Grow and Cook Organic Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Organic Pest & Disease Control
Here's an excerpt from my book, Container Gardening for Health regarding pest and disease control. In the book, charts identifying pests and diseases follow this segment.
The reduction of pests and diseases is a big advantage
container gardeners have over traditional gardeners. Follow these few simple
rules and you will reduce the risk of pests and diseases even further:
Begin with healthy soil. Plants are better able to fight off diseases and
overcome pest damage when they have all the necessary nutrients they
need for growth. I never re-use soil. Soil from spent plants can be spread
on the lawn or dumped back into the compost bin.
Be sure that compost for use in container gardens reaches 105º–145ºF during
the composting process. This will kill many pests and diseases. Soil
with visible destructive pests should be discarded.
Always use clean containers.Wash used containers with a dilute bleach
solution before reusing.
Keep garden area free of debris and spent produce. Pests like to feed on
spoiled food and take shelter under dead plants and weeds.
Look for pests daily. They can usually be found on plants early in the morning,late in the evening, and just after a rain. Look carefully! Many pests camouflage quite well on stems, leaves and flowers. Remember to look under the leaves and remove any eggs.
Except during times of pollination, use floating row covers. These can be purchased to fit containers. Many pests hatch in the soil and then fly onto plants to lay eggs. Covering plants prevent
the continuation of pests’ life cycle. Continue to examine plants for pests even if you use row covers.
Control moisture. Most diseases affecting container plants are related to
moisture levels. Frequently, gardeners over-water plants. Inexpensive moisture
meters can be purchased at your local garden center. Remember to
dig down below the crust of the soil to check for moisture before watering.
If leaves are cupped, the plant usually needs water. If leaves are limp and
pointing down, they may have been over-watered.
Become acquainted with beneficial insects. Encouraging beneficial insects
in your garden is like employing your own personal 24 hour bug control
service.
The reduction of pests and diseases is a big advantage
container gardeners have over traditional gardeners. Follow these few simple
rules and you will reduce the risk of pests and diseases even further:
Begin with healthy soil. Plants are better able to fight off diseases and
overcome pest damage when they have all the necessary nutrients they
need for growth. I never re-use soil. Soil from spent plants can be spread
on the lawn or dumped back into the compost bin.
Be sure that compost for use in container gardens reaches 105º–145ºF during
the composting process. This will kill many pests and diseases. Soil
with visible destructive pests should be discarded.
Always use clean containers.Wash used containers with a dilute bleach
solution before reusing.
Keep garden area free of debris and spent produce. Pests like to feed on
spoiled food and take shelter under dead plants and weeds.
Look for pests daily. They can usually be found on plants early in the morning,late in the evening, and just after a rain. Look carefully! Many pests camouflage quite well on stems, leaves and flowers. Remember to look under the leaves and remove any eggs.
Except during times of pollination, use floating row covers. These can be purchased to fit containers. Many pests hatch in the soil and then fly onto plants to lay eggs. Covering plants prevent
the continuation of pests’ life cycle. Continue to examine plants for pests even if you use row covers.
Control moisture. Most diseases affecting container plants are related to
moisture levels. Frequently, gardeners over-water plants. Inexpensive moisture
meters can be purchased at your local garden center. Remember to
dig down below the crust of the soil to check for moisture before watering.
If leaves are cupped, the plant usually needs water. If leaves are limp and
pointing down, they may have been over-watered.
Become acquainted with beneficial insects. Encouraging beneficial insects
in your garden is like employing your own personal 24 hour bug control
service.
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