Alternatives
Integrated Pest Management: Uses biological, cultural and chemical control. Cultural control involves gardening methods like mowing high to shade out weeds. Involves bringing in natural predators such as ladybugs or preying mantises to control harmful insect populations without using chemicals. Encourage beneficial insects which kill pests. Grow large, showy composite flowers for insects to land on and feed. (Queen Anne’s lace, daisies, fennel and dill) Don’t grow closely related plants in the same location each year. Rotate crops to decrease depletion of soil nutrients. Chemical control involves using a pesticide targeted specifically for the problem with the least amount of pesticide possible to minimize the pests. Keep a journal to document types of problems, how often they occur and what was effective in treating them.
Companion Gardening: is the gardening practice of planting one plant in proximity to another, due to the benefits it bestows on this "companion plant."
Organic gardeners, for instance, often place two plants together (carrots and tomatoes, roses and garlic) because the one will have insect-repelling qualities that benefit the other, thereby getting rid of the need to use chemical pesticides. One plant can even serve as "mulch" for another.
Gardening by the moon & astrological signs: - Plants respond to the same gravitational pull of tides that affect the oceans, which takes turns stimulating root and leaf growth.
- Seeds sprout more quickly, plants grow vigorously and at an optimum rate, harvests are larger and they don't go to seed as fast.
- This method has been practiced by many for hundreds of years.
- The lunar phase controls the amount of moisture in the soil.
Astrological signs: Works with the elements of water, earth, fire or air. Each plant thrives best when planted according to its element.
Square foot gardening: Uses every bit of space by putting plants and veggies closer than traditionally recommended.
- If you have a surplus this can allow for the possibility of crop failure.
- Square Foot Gardening is a type of intensive gardening popularized by Mel Bartholomew. It is based on the idea that the wide rows in conventional home gardening are a waste of time and space, and that more quality vegetables can be grown in less space with less effort.
- In this method, the garden space is divided into beds (a 4' x 4', 16 sq ft or 120cm x 120cm, 1.4m² garden is recommended). These beds are separated by paths and further divided into squares of approximately one square foot and planted with your vegetables. Common spacing is one plant per square for larger plants such as broccoli, basil, etc., four per square for medium large plants like lettuce, nine per square for medium-small plants such as spinach, and sixteen per square for small plants such as onions and carrots. The beds are weeded and watered from the pathways, so the garden soil does not compact.
o Much less work. Conventional gardening requires heavy tools to loosen the soil, whereas in this method, the soil is never compacted and it remains loose and loamy. Weeding takes much less time due to the compact nature of the garden. o Water Savings. Due to the nature of the soil and its water-holding capacities, this type of garden needs water less frequently than other methods. Also, water is placed very near the plant roots, wasting very little in the process. o Very little weeding. One benefit of this close planting is that the vegetables form a living mulch and shade out many weed seeds before they have a chance to germinate. o Pesticide / Herbicide Free. Natural insect repellent methods (i.e. planting marigolds or other naturally pest-repelling plants) become very efficient in a close space and thus, pesticides are not necessary. The large variety of crops in a small space also prevents plant diseases from spreading easily. http://www.answers.com/topic/square-foot-gardening
Soil Solarization: Works like a greenhouse to trap the sun’s heat to temperatures that kill insects, plant diseases, weed seeds, nematodes and soil pathogens. Soil solarization can be used prior to planting to clean up gardens overrun with pests and weeds.
- Level the soil.
- Water soil thoroughly and use clear polyethylene plastic that is 0.6 to 2 mil and is UV treated.
- Cover the area making sure it is airtight with no holes.
With sun, temps rise to as high as 165 degrees at the surface. - Takes four to six weeks of sunny weather to pasteurize the soil.
- Allows plants to draw on the nutrients, seeds germinate more quickly and plants grow faster and stronger - ENN - Environmental News Network
Just a Reminder: - Chemical Pesticides and fertilizers REDUCE the activity of beneficial organisms such as earthworms that improve air and water circulation, decompose thatch, deposit nutrient rich castings and help to neutralize soil.
- Chemicals can also create chemical dependent landscapes. As pest species become resistant to the chemicals designed to kill them, more concentrated doses and frequent applications are required.
Organic: Be cautious of organic labeling on pesticides, as one definition is "any class of chemicals containing carbon," which most of them do. If they contain any trace of carbon then manufacturers can label them organic. · If you are going to use pesticides, use other methods along with them to create a healthier, balanced lawn or garden. |
