3 ms·

what kind of pests? Sure, I have field mice here but between the owls and snakes, they disappear. Moles also burrow everywhere around here but they just eat i

by DaveZale 11mo ago

what kind of pests? Sure, I have field mice here but between the owls and snakes, they disappear. Moles also burrow everywhere around here but they just eat insects and their eggs afaik.

idontwantthis 11mo ago
You don’t have bugs eating your plants?
- chickensong 11mo ago
  While a little bug damage is expected here and there, you can still harvest a lot of high quality produce with minimal or zero pest management. Bugs generally go for weak and unhealthy plants, so if you can keep most of your plants healthy, you can just pull the weak ones if they get too many bugs. Of course there are plenty of other things you can do, but if you have strong, healthy plants, you often don't have to do much. Birds and other larger animals however, can be a much bigger problem depending on your crop.
  - DaveZale 11mo ago
    We get serious grasshopper damage around here, esp the last two years. It's cyclical, but not all crops are seriously affected. Root crops are usually very robust. I tried neem and diatomaceous earth against the hoppers. Different mechanisms of action, not total control but good enough for root crops like potatoes. The pumpkins and other squashes also hold up well.
    - chickensong 11mo ago
      My reply was perhaps a bit too simple and optimistic, so thanks for your comment. Bugs can indeed do more than a little damage, and the bad years can be horrible! I guess the spirit of my previous comment was that it can be possible to find some success, without pesticides or an aggressive IPM program. > not all crops are seriously affected Crop diversity is the key, and a life saver when the pressure is on, or when things just don't go as planned for whatever reason! I don't get terrible grasshopper pressure in my location, but a friend does and uses Nolo Bait as part of her management.

3 ms·

what kind of pests? Sure, I have field mice here but between the owls and snakes, they disappear. Moles also burrow everywhere around here but they just eat i

by DaveZale 11mo ago

what kind of pests? Sure, I have field mice here but between the owls and snakes, they disappear. Moles also burrow everywhere around here but they just eat insects and their eggs afaik.

idontwantthis 11mo ago
You don’t have bugs eating your plants?
- chickensong 11mo ago
  While a little bug damage is expected here and there, you can still harvest a lot of high quality produce with minimal or zero pest management. Bugs generally go for weak and unhealthy plants, so if you can keep most of your plants healthy, you can just pull the weak ones if they get too many bugs. Of course there are plenty of other things you can do, but if you have strong, healthy plants, you often don't have to do much. Birds and other larger animals however, can be a much bigger problem depending on your crop.
  - DaveZale 11mo ago
    We get serious grasshopper damage around here, esp the last two years. It's cyclical, but not all crops are seriously affected. Root crops are usually very robust. I tried neem and diatomaceous earth against the hoppers. Different mechanisms of action, not total control but good enough for root crops like potatoes. The pumpkins and other squashes also hold up well.
    - chickensong 11mo ago
      My reply was perhaps a bit too simple and optimistic, so thanks for your comment. Bugs can indeed do more than a little damage, and the bad years can be horrible! I guess the spirit of my previous comment was that it can be possible to find some success, without pesticides or an aggressive IPM program. > not all crops are seriously affected Crop diversity is the key, and a life saver when the pressure is on, or when things just don't go as planned for whatever reason! I don't get terrible grasshopper pressure in my location, but a friend does and uses Nolo Bait as part of her management.