atlasgrrl’s Recent Comments

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  i've seen the future!

  ...or more appropriately, showered in it.  At the decidedly non-futuristic Internationaal Zeemanshuis (Seaman's House) in Antwerp, Belgium the showers operated like the sinks in many American public restrooms.  That is, you pushed a button down, and got a gradually diminishing stream of water that lasted for approx. 30 seconds.  Need more water?  Push the button again.On Umbra on long, hot showers posted 1 year, 7 months ago 21 Responses

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  organic pest management

  I agree that a healthy ecosystem in the garden is desirable, but if you're raising fruits and veggies to eat, you may want find out how to SAFELY control the pests that want to eat them first.

  I'm in Texas too (Austin), and I LOVE J Howard Garrett's "Texas Organic Vegetable Gardening."  In addition to really helpful info about growing specific fruits and veggies, there is a chapter about organic pest control.  

  The book includes info on beneficial insects - ladybugs, ground beetles, fireflies, lacewings, nematodes, predatory mites, praying mantises, spiders, and wasps...  some of these amy already be in your backyard! You can introduce others, but most will leave.  Those that stay will work on keeping pests in check, but they'll never really be able to eliminate them.

  SO - If you have a pest infestation (which it sounds like your basil plant has), you may want to use some kind of organic pesticide on the specific plant. Depending on the pest, there are several non-or-less-toxic solutions that you can apply to the plant.  Molasses, citrus oil, diatomaceous earth, garlic-pepper tea, Bt, compost tea...  which one you use totally depends on the pest, so as Umbra said, it's important to identify it correctly.

  If you have trouble identifying your basil chomper online, you can put a few leaves and bugs in a sealed plastic sandwich bag, and take it to your county Cooperative Extension agent(s).  He/she/they should have no problem identifying it, though they may counsel heavier-duty pesticide solutions.  Just nod your thanks, and then go home and use something a little safer for you, your soil, your plants, and all of the little critters - good and bad - that enjoy your backyard too.

  P.S.  Bexar County's Extension Office can be found online here:  http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/

  P.P.S.  I have no connection with J Howard Garrett, I just really like his book.  Promise.

   On Umbra on fighting pests with pests posted 2 years, 6 months ago 12 Responses