Pests have a sense of smell and peppermints, thymes and wormwoods are excellent players in keeping pests at bay.
Wormwood is the champion!
Basils and Dill deter the tomato horn worm.
Put in some trap crops or let a few of the trap crops grow. Poke weed, old mustards, cleome etc..
Plants, especially herbs, have essential oil’s which decimate viral infections, eliminate fungal and bacterial issues in humans as well as other plants. Rosemary and fennel can be dried and sprinkled to prevent slugs and snails.
Lavender, Oregano and Rosemary are particularly high in antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and act as strong remedies and preventives.
Tools and items to remove or treat the offending pests:
Dipel (Bt)
Dr Bronners peppermint soap in a 16oz. spray bottle. 3 teaspoons of soap per bottle and the rest water.
Spinosad
(Permethrin is synthetic and modeled after chrysanthemums which have insecticidal properties)
Neem oil
Diatomaceous earth
(DE)
Hand removing
Beneficial predators are:
Wasps
Lizards
Snakes
Spiders
Hornets
Ladybugs
Dragon flies
The program will provide an overview and what to do about the 4 basic pests in the garden or on the farm: sucking pests, chewing pests, boring pests, and human pests. Join farmer, trainer, soil alchemist, and worm whisperer Maurice Small as he digs deep on pest control and integrated pest management.
Giving thanks for the gift of sharing. Keisha Cameron of High Hog Farm gave me a clump of #motherwort last year and it has multiplied, thankfully. Living with plants brings me joy. Each one is so unique and I feel blessed to be in partnership with them. What plant did you share recently or what plant where you given?
Many things have been learned and many things have been forgotten over these past 10 years.
Remember that flowers still bloom, worms still have to eat & it’s gotten hotter n fresh poo.
We need solutions now more than ever.
Keep counting those simple blessings & remember.
Seed saving.
Yard eating.
Soil makin.
#SimpleFoodSmallFarmz is now on Instagram, Twitter & Tumblr. Book a tour or experience. There are a number of fantastic Air BnB Experiences are taking place with Maurice Small in Atlanta.
Making time with plants, soil and being aware of their substance, will take you to another level of relaxation.
Want to learn more about the benefits of different types of container gardens? Book a tour or working experience and see how to make raised beds, eat you lawn, compost and more.
These are a few of my Sempervivum tectorum (hen and chicks). They make me happy because they have so many unique details in their individual plant clusters. They are extremely hardy and have a strong drought resistance. The container that they are in was made from old heat treated pallet wood from one of my decommissioned compost bins (non treated wood). And because my focus is on compost and food, the plump leaves of this succulent are edible raw. Go easy at first to avoid a upset stomach.
These are a few of my Sempervivum tectorum (hen and chicks). They make me happy because they have so many unique details in their individual plant clusters. They are extremely hardy and have a strong drought resistance. The container that they are in was made from old heat treated pallet wood from one of my decommissioned compost bins (non treated wood). And because my focus is on compost and food, the plump leaves of this succulent are edible raw. Go easy at first to avoid a upset stomach.
Having a greenhouse at home is a definite blessing. Season extension is one. We planted these tomatoes from cuttings in a 15 gallon bucket in September. The 4 plants are now 7+ feet tall, bearing flowers and fruits. We should probably begin eating tasty, soil (compost) grown heirloom tomatoes in mid January or sooner. A important FYI for you… when you see the flowers, it’s important to pollinate those flowers. Pollinators don’t go in the greenhouse this time of year and if you want fruits, you gotta help the plant and act like a bee.
#SimpleFoodSmallFarmz is the hashtag to look for. Follow us on social media and book that EXPERIENCE today.
Yup, we grow food in Atlanta Urban Ag like we grew food in Raleigh Urban Ag like we grew food in Youngstown Urban Ag like we grew when we started in Cleveland Urban Ag.
