The Four Basic Tenets of Pest Management at COPIA
It starts in the Soil
Like so many things in the garden, good pest management practices start with the soil. Strong, healthy plants that haven’t been over or under fertilized can tolerate and out grow many pest outbreaks. In order to grow a healthy plant we work to have healthy, balanced soils. This traces back to the use of biodynamic compost, worm castings, rock dust, oyster shell flour and balanced organic fertilizers. When we transplant a healthy plant into healthy soils, at the right time well, you get the idea…
The best offense is a good defense
If a plant is particularly susceptible to a specific pest we will put up physical barriers to that pest. In the case of arugula we put up floating row covers, which look like thin bed sheets, to keep off the flea beetle. For citrus and many other fruit trees we spread Tanglefoot, a sticky plant resin, around the trunk to keep off ants, which can bring aphids and scale. We also rotate crop families from season to season so that pest populations can’t build up in one area.
We get by with a little help from our friends
When we notice a pest outbreak, the first thing we do is observe. We maintain various parts of our garden that are set-aside as habitat for beneficial insects. Often times these "good bugs" will come in and keep the pests in check so that we do not have to spray.
Organic sprays can save the day
If the pest pressure becomes too great we have a few organic spray options that we can employ. Often a stiff stream of water is enough to disorient aphids to the point where they won't find their way back to the plant they were feeding on. For organic insecticidal sprays we use pyrethrums, which are derived from chrysanthemum flowers, horticultural oils, natural soaps and an oil derived from the seeds of the Indian Neem tree. Timing is very important with these sprays. Pick a cloudy day or spray in the evening and follow up with a second or third spray if the pest returns.
The take home message is that through good management practices you can keep pests outbreaks to a minimum. But, when they get out of line you can put pests back in check with well-timed organic sprays.
Like so many things in the garden, good pest management practices start with the soil. Strong, healthy plants that haven’t been over or under fertilized can tolerate and out grow many pest outbreaks. In order to grow a healthy plant we work to have healthy, balanced soils. This traces back to the use of biodynamic compost, worm castings, rock dust, oyster shell flour and balanced organic fertilizers. When we transplant a healthy plant into healthy soils, at the right time well, you get the idea…
The best offense is a good defense
If a plant is particularly susceptible to a specific pest we will put up physical barriers to that pest. In the case of arugula we put up floating row covers, which look like thin bed sheets, to keep off the flea beetle. For citrus and many other fruit trees we spread Tanglefoot, a sticky plant resin, around the trunk to keep off ants, which can bring aphids and scale. We also rotate crop families from season to season so that pest populations can’t build up in one area.
We get by with a little help from our friends
When we notice a pest outbreak, the first thing we do is observe. We maintain various parts of our garden that are set-aside as habitat for beneficial insects. Often times these "good bugs" will come in and keep the pests in check so that we do not have to spray.
Organic sprays can save the day
If the pest pressure becomes too great we have a few organic spray options that we can employ. Often a stiff stream of water is enough to disorient aphids to the point where they won't find their way back to the plant they were feeding on. For organic insecticidal sprays we use pyrethrums, which are derived from chrysanthemum flowers, horticultural oils, natural soaps and an oil derived from the seeds of the Indian Neem tree. Timing is very important with these sprays. Pick a cloudy day or spray in the evening and follow up with a second or third spray if the pest returns.
The take home message is that through good management practices you can keep pests outbreaks to a minimum. But, when they get out of line you can put pests back in check with well-timed organic sprays.
