Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[l kelly <elkel@hotmail.com>]

I lose much to flea beetles as well.  I feel fairly confidant that I have observed some improvement with companion planting with feverfew (an aggressive self-seeder here in NW Arkansas).  I also use the foliage of the many volunteer feverfew plants to mulch, and although I've conducted no careful study, I feel confidant reporting some success. 
For the beetles apparent favorite, eggplant, it seems the best remedy may be to wait until the beetle seasonn is ending before setting out the starts.  Or they can set out, but stay in their pots for easy hosedown and moving, as that seems to keep the beetles confused.  Flea beetles die back here by late June I think, and there's lots of growing season after that.  Doesn't help spring crops, of course.
Good luck.
Laura  
 
 
> Date: Mon, 26 May 2008 13:41:06 -0700
> From: "Nigel Kirby" <naturespirit@clearwire.net>
> Subject: [Livingontheland] Flea beetle damage
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions for dealing with flea beetles. They are
> destroying my arugula, cress, mizuna and radishes and now I have noticed
> them on my chard. I decided not to pull my plants when I first noticed them
> as I did not want them to go elsewhere looking for food (this strategy has
> worked in the past for other insects), however, they are now spreading to
> other crops. I also planted these crops in another part of my garden which
> has been clear of flea beetles until this morning when I noticed some damage
> on some young plants. I usually ignore most insect problems and they usually
> sort themselves out, but since I am beginning to sell some of my produce
> this year (mainly salad greens), this is a bigger issue for me now than if I
> was just growing for myself. My organic insect control books say to use
> pyrethrin but I don't like the idea of this approach. I have not used any
> sprays in the past and I don't intend to start now. Any suggestions would be
> greatly appreciated. Thank you.
>

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