ORGANIC GARDEN TIPS

(June bug larvae, cutworms)  Having problems with young plants suddenly dying?  Could be the grub.  "June bugs have mostly come and gone and I have been finding the grubs a couple inches below the soil in my raised beds.  This past week I put down some beneficial nematodes.  Should eliminate them.

So much cheaper and better than city water, especially with the restrictions on watering.  I have a couple of rain barrels and two Walmart trash cans below my downspouts to collect water.  

Now that it's hot, it is preferred to go low on the nitrogen in the N P K numbers.  As you may know, N is nitrogen, P is phosphorus, K is potassium.  Phosphorus and potassium are important for roots and flowers.  N for nitrogen is responsible for above ground growth.  Going heavy on nitrogen when it's hot and dry can burn the plant.  It can also make more stem and leaf and not as much produce.  So it is preferred to look at the first number, N and purchase as low a number as possible.  For example, a lawn fertilizer that is 15-0-0 would be terrible for garden use.  Very high in nitrogen, zero for flowering and root growth.  

As an organic gardener, I don't use 7 Dust or anything that is poison on my produce.  Below are the products I rely upon for pest control.

BT -  (Bacillus Thuringiensis) is a natural, organic bacteria that is completely safe for humans and pets.  Food can be eaten the next day after spraying. It is very effective for killing caterpillars and nymph stages of bugs that pray on the leaves and fruits.  It is recommended to use BT in the morning, as it does not harm pollinators such as bees or butterflies.

SPINOSAD  -  similar as above, is also natural, organic and a bacteria.  BT and Spinosad as a concentrate are diluted for your watering can or sprayer singly or together.  Both are extremely effective when aphids and caterpillars are eating the leaves of your plants.  

It is highly recommended to only use Spinosad in the early evening as it can be harmful to bees when wet, but is relatively safe once it dries. It is available as a concentrate and in a ready mixed spray bottle.

NEEM OIL  - another organic that is an oil, mixed with water and sprayed on the tops and bottoms of leaves especially if aphids are very active. It is not recommended to use Neem oil during hot, sunny weather.  As an oil, it could burn leaves.

 I have a birdbath near the garden and have had no problems with birds or squirrels attacking my produce.  When they have water, they are much less likely to bite tomatoes, peppers, etc. to get some hydration.