John Cooper

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  1. J Starr 4425 Accepted Answer

    There are lots of generally harmless ways to keep bugs from eating up your crops, but most do not work as well as we might like, none are set it  and forget it, and all take you paying attention and putting in the work.  Plus, you need some bugs, but not others.


    So, you should probably use a layered approach.

    • Know what pests go after which crop, and what pests you usually have in your area and what time of the growing season they are most active
    • Try "companion planting"; this is a system which places plants that pests avoid near plants which pests like- thus, hopefully, encouraging fewer pests to view your garden as a buffet  (https://www.thespruce.com/companion-planting-1402735)
    • Try a Neem oil spray on plants pests seem to really like  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neem_oil)  Another good spray, especially for aphid/scale-type bugs, is soapy water with a high concentration of garlic
    • Try planting strongly-scented herbs- such as rosemary- and certain flowers- such as marigolds and chrysanthemums- in between rows of food plants; the scent of these plants discourages many pests
    • Patrol your garden at least once daily checking for pests- and remember to patrol one day in the morning, the next at dusk so you can see the range of pests wanting to snack on your stuff
    • If you see even one pest, treat immediately.  Use Google to identify the intruder, and then search for the best defense. Don't wait to see half your snap-bean crop mowed down at soil level before taking action
    • You can try using light fabric on hoops over your crop rows which creates an actual block to bugs;  but, remember, if you are blocking bad bugs- like cut-worm moths-  you're blocking good bugs- like bees- too

    Good luck.  If you have area specific questions about pests or treatments, try reaching out to your local Extension Office.


    UTC 2020-10-12 06:56 PM 0 Comments

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