There are entire books dedicated to raising vegetable gardens. For today, let’s simply touch on a couple things that our customers have found most helpful that you may want to consider when you think about your gardens this year. Although you won’t find many today, insects can be the demise of many a garden. First we’ll offer an effective organic solution to common pest problems, then we’ll touch on some good cultural practices to consider in your planning.
Just about everyone in the Northeast right now is longing to sit on a tropical beach and just soak up some sun. No doubt this winter was cold, long and didn’t seem to ever want to give in. When it comes to this year’s garden, there are many insects that are also longing to emerge from the cold too. When they come out, they can do a lot of damage.
Ironically, one of the most effective treatments for harmful garden insects actually originated in the tropics. Spinosid is a 100% organic derivative of a naturally occurring substance originally discovered on a tropical island near a whiskey factory. At Koopman Lumber, we stock the Bonide Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew, which is very effective at combating many common garden problems.
Spinosid combines the efficacy of synthetic products with the benefits of biological insect pest control products. Because it is active by either ingestion or contact exposure, it is effective against a wide variety of insect pests. For those of us resistant to putting chemicals on our food, this is a fantastic solution that is effective and natural.
Here are some cultural things to consider for your garden that will help reduce the impact of harmful bugs or disease:
1) Rotate Your Crops
If you had a systemic problem last year, it’s likely dormant in your soil and will come back. Rotating crops helps to manage soil fertility and also to help avoid or reduce problems with soil-borne diseases and some soil-dwelling insects.
2) Prune/Trim To Allow Airflow
More airflow through the plant can prevent future disease issues. It also encourages fuller plants – thus more foliage for photosynthesis, more blooms to attract pollinators, as well as more fruits for you and any creatures you share them with.
3) Water In The Morning – NEVER At Night
The early morning, while it is still cool, is the very best time to water plants. This allows the water to run down into the soil and reach the roots of the plant without too much water loss to evaporation. Watering in the early morning makes the water available to the plant throughout the day. The reason that you should never water plants at night is because it doesn’t allow the leaves to dry. Damp leaves encourage fungus problems, such as powdery mildew or sooty mold, which can harm your vegetable plants.
Although we’ve been recommending Captain Jack’s for many years, Buxton Hollow Compost Tea is new to us, and we’re excited to try it ourselves and get your input! We expect it to assist with many systemic issues including insects and fungal related disease. See our blog on compost tea HERE.
One final reminder, the last real chance of frost isn’t until the end of May – so keep an eye on the more tender plants. The cold-tolerant plants being sold from our greenhouses are already hardened off.
From seeds, to live vegetable plants, to fertilizers and controls, Koopman Lumber has the products and expertise you need to have a fantastic vegetable garden this year!
