Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[tradingpost <tradingpost@lobo.net>]

Hello & tnx useful info too
Jump in anytime!

On 4/2/2014 9:57 PM, Kate Spinner wrote:
> I'm a huge fan of #1 - Ladybugs. I only use organic pesticides (usually neem 
> oil), but I use them as a last resort because I don't want to harm the 
> ladybugs (even soapy water can harm a ladybug). If you can get a critical 
> breeding mass of ladybugs to breed in your garden, they will attack your 
> problems before you even realize you have them. Now, if I see aphids, I 
> usually wait a couple days to see if they go away. If they don't, I have a 
> dwarf bamboo plant that has a scale problem - and a persistent team of 
> ladybugs that spontaneously arrived to the plant's rescue. I'll steal a 
> couple ladybugs or a larvae from the bamboo and put them in the area where 
> the aphids are proliferating. Problem solved. In the past, I also have 
> purchased ladybugs from the local garden supply center. They work wonders, 
> and often they will reproduce.
>
> On Apr 2, 2014, at 10:17 PM, tradingpost wrote:
>
> > 10 Great Organic Pesticides
> > May 8, 2012 By admin
> > http://readisoil.com/10-great-organic-pesticides/
> >
> >
> >
> > Every gardener has lived through the horror of finding your beautiful crops 
> > destroyed by insects. They can wreak havoc in your garden, back yard and even 
> > your deck or patio. You put so much time and energy into a healthy, organic 
> > soil and plants; it would seem counterproductive to use chemical 
> > insecticides. But then no one wants eat a tomato filled with worms!
> >
> >
> >
> > The solution is to use an organic pesticide that will make both your 
> > vegetables safe and protect the environment. By making your own you can save 
> > money and avoid putting dangerous toxic chemicals into our plants and your 
> > soil. Here are our top picks for keeping bug free and chemical free this 
> > planting season:
> >
> >
> >
> > Ladybugs. These pretty little bugs are nature’s pesticide. You can find them 
> > online or at your local gardening store. They are cute but are actually 
> > hungry little predators that feed on a variety of insects including aphids, 
> > chinch bugs, asparagus beetle larvae, thrips, alfalfa weevils, bean thrips, 
> > grape root worms, Colorado potato beetle larvae, whitefly, and mites, as well 
> > as many other soft-bodied insects and eggs.
> >
> > Eggshells and salt. To keep slugs and snails out of your hostas or melons, 
> > make your own mix from the kitchen. Crush old eggshells and mix with salt. 
> > Place around the base of the plant in the soil. The eggshells act like broken 
> > pieces of glass for these insects and will deter them from getting too close.
> >
> > Onion and garlic. It not only keeps vampires away, it can save your garden! 
> > Mix equal parts of crushed garlic cloves or onions and water. Using vegetable 
> > oil or tea may help to enhance the affect as well. Just spray on your plants 
> > to kill larva and soft-bodied insects.
> >
> > Dishwashing soap. Available at the local discount store, one bottle will last 
> > you all season. Add a few drops to water and place in a spray bottle. Spray 
> > your plans every couple of days to paralyze the insects in the garden.
> >
> > Mineral oil. Mix one cup of high-grade mineral oil with one gallon of water. 
> > Shake well before you spray to create a thin film on plants. This organic 
> > pesticide works by dehydrating insects and their eggs.
> >
> > Citrus Oil and Cayenne Pepper. To keep those pesky ants at bay, simply mix 10 
> > drops of citrus essential oil with one teaspoon cayenne pepper and 1 cup of 
> > warm water. Shake well and spray in the affected areas.
> >
> > Soap, Orange Citrus Oil & Water. This natural pesticide is made with 3 
> > tablespoons of liquid soap, 1 ounce of orange oil and one gallon of water. Shake 
> > well and spray. This is an especially effective treatment against slugs and can 
> > be sprayed directly on ants and roaches.
> >
> > Eucalyptus oil. A great natural pesticide for flies, bees and wasps. Simply 
> > sprinkle a few drops of eucalyptus oil where the insects are found. They will 
> > scurry away!
> >
> > 9. Tobacco Spray. Take one cup of organic tobacco and mix it in one gallon of 
> > water and let it sit overnight. This can be used for most plants except 
> > tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
> >
> > 10. Chile pepper and Diatomaceous Earth. Mix half cup of chile pepper and 1 
> > cup of Diatomaceous earth along with to 2 liters of water. Shake well before 
> > spraying.
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