permaculture

["Kate Halstead" <rockyprairie@earthlink.net>]

I concur--when mulching to discourage sow bugs it has to be a dry substance
like straw or baled hay. I use alfalfa only because it feeds the soil quite
well, has no mature seed to sprout into weeds, and clopryalid contamination
is not an issue. Several organic commercial strawberry growers in this area
use straw extensively (they must have certified clopyralid-free supplies.)

As Kevin stated, putting it down just prior to fruiting gives max benefit.
Those living near filbert orchards have had good success mulching with
lightly crushed filbert shells. However, I'm not sure how effective any dry
mulch will be after the bugs have discovered the bounty to be had.

Kate

-----Original Message-----
From: permaculture-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:permaculture-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Kevin Topek
Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2005 9:45 AM
To: permaculture
Subject: Re: [permaculture] Sow bugs eating the strawberries

I find that mulching with straw or dry feed hay around strawberries
discourages sow bugs. They like composting, moist mulch, but the dry
material is not to their liking. If you mulch with straw over the
decomposing mulch just prior to strawberry fruiting you get the maximum
benefit of the material for the longest time. It stays dry and does not
begin to break down for a couple of months. It also keeps the berries dry
and free of dirt. I think this is where the term straw-berry came from.

Kevin

----- Original Message -----
From: "Lisa in Oregon" <lisamaciver8@yahoo.com>
To: "permaculture" <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2005 11:13 AM
Subject: RE: [permaculture] Sow bugs eating the strawberries


> I have a cordless vac I use mostly for earwigs, which are devastating 
> here for this few months in spring.  I get the occasional sowbug and 
> slug with it, too... going out at night with one might be a way to 
> quickly reduce populations.  I really only have sowbug problems inside 
> wall-o-waters or with plants that are right on the ground, like 
> emerging bean seedlings.  Maybe humidity/darkness/air circulation.
>
> You might read Steve Soloman's "Growing Vegetables West of the 
> Cascades." He specifically says mulch is the problem as in our climate 
> it allows buildup of earwigs and sowbugs; recommends not mulching, or 
> removing and composting mulch in early spring and reapplying fresh 
> mulch later.  I haven't been able to not mulch, though.
>
> Lisa in Ashland Oregon
>
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Yahoo! Mail Mobile
> Take Yahoo! Mail with you! Check email on your mobile phone.
> http://mobile.yahoo.com/learn/mail
> _______________________________________________
> permaculture mailing list
> permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/permaculture


_______________________________________________
permaculture mailing list
permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/permaculture