Not even sure where to start looking for this.

My girlfriend (unwisely) left the garden in my hands, which means now
that most of the flowers have dissapeared to be replaced by things of
a tastier nature. In particular I've got chilli plants and plum
tomatoes currently flowering (I'm in the southern hemisphere, so we've
just rolled into spring).

There's a bit of spinach, a few garlic bulbs and some watermelon seeds
that seem to have sprouted of their own accord.

(As a aside, how can you tell when garlic is ready to pull?)

I've spotted the odd snail around the place as well as small black
flying things (they may be fruit flies, but I honestly don't know.).

I am looking for pointers as to what I should spread or spray around
the place to reduce the chance of losing my "crop" to disease or
insects. I don't want to hit everything with "Round-up", so I am
looking for household tricks, "old wives tales" or something I can
mixup without rubber gloves and a government permit.

(I drink a lot of tea, so if the leaves are good for anything (other
than composting!) that could be handy.)



Thanks for any advice.

Matt

On 9 Oct 2003 13:08:08 -0700,
(Schmuck) wrote:


I am looking for pointers as to what I should spread or spray around
the place to reduce the chance of losing my "crop" to disease or
insects. I don't want to hit everything with "Round-up", so I am
looking for household tricks, "old wives tales" or something I can
mixup without rubber gloves and a government permit.

(I drink a lot of tea, so if the leaves are good for anything (other
than composting!) that could be handy.)


First, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Just because
you see an insect does NOT mean that insect is going to do
any damage to your vegetables. Many insects are beneficial,
some are neutral.

I don't routinely use anything to prevent insect damage or
diseases on the crops you mention (I also don't live in the
southern hemisphere). I do routinely cover up the cabbage
family crops with floating row cover or nylon net to prevent
cabbage worms from eating them, but you don't mention any
cabbage family crops.

There are 'organic' controls: rotenone, pyrethrin, neem,
Bt. All are less awful than Roundup. But none should be
used unless necessary.

I wouldn't think that the pests I'm used to in the
Northeastern USA would be the same pests you might
experience in the southern hemisphere. So I can only
recommend that you get a gardening book specific to your
local conditions. If you have a public library where you
live, probably they have at least several such books.

Pat
--
To email me, remove the trap and type my first
name in its place.

CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY
United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/
International: http://www.thehungersite.com/

wrote:

.....There are 'organic' controls: rotenone, pyrethrin, neem,
Bt. All are less awful than Roundup...........



Especially since Roundup is designed to kill every plant it touches and
is not an insecticide.


Steve

These folks are a little fanatical, but this site should give you some ideas.

http://www.dirtdoctor.com/

As you can see he recommends garlic as part of an insecticide.

I usually pull garlic when the tops turn brown & fall over.


Hope this helps,

bob


Schmuck wrote:
Not even sure where to start looking for this.

My girlfriend (unwisely) left the garden in my hands, which means now
that most of the flowers have dissapeared to be replaced by things of
a tastier nature. In particular I've got chilli plants and plum
tomatoes currently flowering (I'm in the southern hemisphere, so we've
just rolled into spring).

There's a bit of spinach, a few garlic bulbs and some watermelon seeds
that seem to have sprouted of their own accord.

(As a aside, how can you tell when garlic is ready to pull?)

I've spotted the odd snail around the place as well as small black
flying things (they may be fruit flies, but I honestly don't know.).

I am looking for pointers as to what I should spread or spray around
the place to reduce the chance of losing my "crop" to disease or
insects. I don't want to hit everything with "Round-up", so I am
looking for household tricks, "old wives tales" or something I can
mixup without rubber gloves and a government permit.

(I drink a lot of tea, so if the leaves are good for anything (other
than composting!) that could be handy.)



Thanks for any advice.

Matt

--
Bob Mounger

On 9 Oct 2003 13:08:08 -0700, (Schmuck)
wrote:

My girlfriend (unwisely) left the garden in my hands, which means now
that most of the flowers have dissapeared to be replaced by things of
a tastier nature. In particular I've got chilli plants and plum
tomatoes currently flowering (I'm in the southern hemisphere, so we've
just rolled into spring).

I did the opposite. Started my plot with all veg, and then found much
pleasure in adding flowers for cutting, color, and creating envy in
fellow gardeners.

I am looking for pointers as to what I should spread or spray around
the place to reduce the chance of losing my "crop" to disease or
insects.

"Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." There is little or no
reason to apply *any* remedy for a problem that has not appeared.
If/when you encounter plant pests/diseases, treat them as specifically
and benignly as possible. Some insects can be controlled quite
adequately by picking off and squishing.

I don't want to hit everything with "Round-up",

I certainly hope not, since it's a powerful ('though not criminal)
herbicide -- kills all foliage plants except ivy and Vinca. Not
recommended for insect or disease control.