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Clean slate of garden area... and now the pests show up!
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clcairns
Just Arrived
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Location: Sheridan Wyoming
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:47 am Post subject: Clean slate of garden area... and now the pests show up! |
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I wrote in earlier this spring about starting a garden in a back yard that hadn't been touched since the 80's. Thanks for the great suggestions! Nothing but weeds and grass left to its natural state... a clean slate. Started digging, unearthed BILLIONS of big fat juicy worms and some really beautiful soil. That was in mid-May (I live in Northern Wyoming... Sheridan, and we have a short season.) Despite a cold and wet spring my veggies are finally going like gangbusters and are now naturally attracting some not so great pests. I had to squash a juicy grasshopper that couldn't stay away from the maters today. I am hesitant to start using any chemicals for the aphids and funguses that are bound to come my way,or even chemical fertilizers... I like keeping the natural balance of good buggies too and feel like my garden will be lower maintainance if I can build a strong base. So far I have just been using compost and marigolds to keep the junk out. And fearfully checking daily for any problems. Any suggestions for keeping things fresh for years to come? Good companion plants, preventive maintainance that anyone could offer?
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CritterPainter
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Location: Washington State
Posts: 1292
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| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:43 pm Post subject: |
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have you ever tried soap? Doesn't work on everything, but it sounds like with your diligence, it might do the trick. Use ivory soap flakes (NOT the liquid soap) and mix it up with some warm water- something like 1 or 2% soap in water. Don't use it too often on the more fragile plants.
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Mary
I have a mind like a steel...sieve
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clcairns
Just Arrived
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Location: Sheridan Wyoming
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject: soap for bugs too? |
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I had read somewhere that soap is good for animal pests like rabbits and squirrels, I have two dobermans and an eight foot fence so critters aren't a problem, any input on soap for bugs?
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PepperDude
On The Way Up
Joined: 28 Jun 2008
Location: Tishomingo, MS. zone 8 (Map)
Posts: 249
PlantStew: 323 |
| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:53 pm Post subject: |
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I use the Ivory liquid soap mixed with water on aphids.
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Richard
Free Weeds
U Pick 'Em
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gardengater
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 30 May 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 817
PlantStew: 26 |
| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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I've heard diluted hot sauce sprayed on leaves helps. I also use the Marigolds.
gardengater
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playtime8978
On The Way Up
Joined: 18 Jul 2008
Location: blackpool england
Posts: 216
PlantStew: 10 |
| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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my family have used dish washing liquid and its foam succesfully on aphids for many years i remember way back when my nana used it on her roses and apple trees not sure if delicate plants would like it though
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CritterPainter
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Location: Washington State
Posts: 1292
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| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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Sounds like I've been wrong about the liquid, glad to hear it, that's much easier to find!
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Mary
I have a mind like a steel...sieve
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