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  • From: Jeff Jacobsen <jjj@otter.wsipc.wednet.edu>
  • To: Dan Settles <Dan_Settles@cellbio.duke.edu>
  • Cc: Vicki Garland <blissv@nmhu.campus.mci.net>, "permaculture-mg@amani.ces.ncsu." <permaculture-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu>
  • Subject: Re: questions about PNW per
  • Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 14:41:19 -0700 (PDT)

Dan,

Keep in mind that it takes a few years before an equilibrium is
established. Hence, while I may have slug problems this year, in a few
years the slug problem could be a lot less with me doing nothing at all
about it. For example, I have a lot of garter snakes this year and they
have lots of food; slugs. Also, there are lots of various bugs that eat
slug eggs; these should be increasing this year. Furthermore, in a few
years my soil will be much better. Thus, in this kind of experiment, one
year never tells us much. Only by working with a method for multiple
years can we know if we are successful and in what ways we are successful.

Cheers,

Jeff J

jjj@otter.wsipc.wednet.edu

On 25 Jun 1996, Dan Settles wrote:

> RE>>questions about PNWÉ 6/25/96
>
> I am also trying to use deep mulch on a new garden area that has not been
> tilled and have had good results so far. I've got nice healthy plants so
> far, but I'm wondering if I'm going to have some slug or insect problems
> later. A bumper crop of small crickets have appeared lately, and if they
> start eating the plants rather than the decaying mulch I'll be in trouble.
> I hoped to put guineas in the garden soon to eat the bugs, but I've heard
> recently that they will also eat the plants. I've heard the same about
> ducks. I'd like to hear more from those with real experience using fowl to
> control insects. Thanks.
> Dan Settles
>
> --------------------------------------
> Can't help but jump in here ...
>
> Mulching and slugs ....
>
> Our place is on Whidbey Island. Last year was the first year for our
> garden and since we wanted a fairly large one and were impatient we got a
> local farmer to help us out. We were converting an area covered with
> brush (lots of salmon berries, blackberries, etc.) and alder. In short,
> we composted the brush and tilled the land. Results no slug problems last
> year. Also, since we don't have a well we could not even consider regular
> tilling. We observed early on that if we tilled the soil dryed out a lot
> faster and failed to absorb water whereas the sections that we only cut
> the weeds back at the top remained moist all summer long. Hence, we
> mulched, mostly with tons of hay.
>
> This year its slug haven, or was. About a month ago I started my war on
> slugs. Since then I've composted about ten gallons of them and drowned a
> few thousand in beer. They are still there, but the population is almost
> under control.
>
> I've also had to change some of my gardening techniques.
>
> Very little direct seeding. Transplant are far more likely to survive.
> Beans, peas and corn still make it, but the birds, slugs and bunnies lower
> the survival rate. Row cover can help against all three.
>
> Because water is precious, we only prepare the holes for the plants or
> stir up the top few inches of the center of the bed. We cut back the
> cover crops and then let them die back. Because we never distrub the
> sides of the beds we are don't have to worry about the sides caving in and
> only have to water new transplants.
>
> Besides harvesting slugs for compost, I also make a point of distrubing
> the mulch farily often. This helps kill/dry out the slug eggs. Next year
> we are planning on getting some ducks to help out with the slugs.
>
> The paths between the beds are filled with grass and other weeds.
> However, this spring I harvested the main paths to make a couple new beds.
> The top layer on the path made some pretty nice soil. I then covered with
> alder chips and will probably harvest them again in a year or two. The
> weedy paths I probably harvest when I have a supply of wood chips to go on
> them. Need to keep a mulch on the paths so they don't lose moisture and
> the weeds should make good compost. I may cover crop the paths this fall.
>
> We also feed the slugs. If you keep a "clean" garden the only food the
> slugs have are the plants. If you let it grow wild there is always lots
> of alternative foods for them. I leave the lettuce trimmings just outside
> of the beds. The slugs gather and I have easy pickings. Meanwhile the
> seedlings survive.
>
> Since we are trying to market garden or lay the groundwork for a CSA the
> trick is production with minimal work. We have a second garden where a
> retired organic farmer is teaching us all his tricks of the trade;
> tilling, plastic row covers, T-tape, etc. My wife is doing this garden.
> The verdict is not yet in, but the 2nd year wild garden I described above
> is competing very well with till/plastic/drip methods that a lot of
> production farmers use. My wife who is using the till method has already
> decide not to repeat it next year. I think with the help of a few ducks
> and refinement of the methods described above she will be able to get the
> production she wants without the extra work that the "high tech" organic
> gardeners use. However, our garden is too new and techniques still
> developing to advocate one method or the other. I just happen to enjoy the
> chaos of the approach described above and am finding it amazingly
> productive. By finding the right patterns a lot of beatiful things happen.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jeff J
>
>




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