Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[Harvey Ussery <huboxwood@earthlink.net>]

> (I don't have much luck with later plantings of winter
> squash - the squash bugs share diseases and the borers eat their way up the
> stems!).  ~Diane in SC

I notice you have chickens, Diane. How 'bout guineas? I use guineas for 
100% effective, 100% organic control of squash bug: I place a simple 
A-frame pasture shelter in the winter squash plot and throw an electric 
net fence around the entire plot. (Electronet is a fundamental tool in 
my management of poultry.) When I see the first squash bug (usually 
about the time the first blossoms appear), I put in the guineas. Only a 
few are needed--I have only 3 at the moment.

Guineas work in this assignment where chickens would not. Chickens with 
their ceaseless scratching would destroy the plot. Guineas are not great 
scratchers--they'll scratch out a little place to dust-bathe, but leave 
the plants alone.

This system really does provide 100% control of SB--I've been using it 
so many years now I've lost count. (I guess the guineas control the 
winged phase of the borers as well, since I rarely have a problem with 
them.)

~Harvey

--
Harvey in northern Va
www.themodernhomestead.us