In the Garden
Amy Jordan, Special to The Gazette
Originally published 01:17 p.m., April 24, 2008
Updated 01:17 p.m., April 24, 2008
Going green is the trend today.
In travel, food, or everyday living, conserving resources is on everyone’s mind in an effort to save money or to make less of a negative impact on the environment.
Interestingly, the “green” movement is nothing new to gardening. It incorporates the best management practices that have been taught for decades, such as the use of mulch for water conservation and weed control, disease resistant plants, adaptable plant material, and the use of beneficial insects for pest control.
Following is a checklist of good gardening practices. By first adopting these practices, the need for pesticides can be greatly reduced, or oftentimes, eliminated. They may also help to decrease the amount of supplemental water needed to maintain lawns, gardens and landscapes.
Checklist of Good Gardening Practices:
• Create a “healthy” soil. In the rush to plant, this important step is often overlooked, yet it can make the difference between a productive and a so-so garden. Many insects are attracted to unhealthy, poorly growing plants. Poorly growing plants also recover more slowly from insect injury. Have a soil test done and follow the recommendations to supply a full range of nutrients. Just adding extra fertilizer won’t create healthy soil, since excess nitrogen or phosphorus can promote insect and disease problems. Add organic matter to the soil each year in the form of soil amendments or mulch.
• Choose pest-resistant or tolerant varieties. Nursery and garden catalogs often contain this information. Or contact the Lyon County office of K-State Research & Extension for publications with this information.
• Start with healthy, quality seeds and plants.
• Eliminate the competition. Remove weeds and grass from the growing site since they compete for nutrients and water.
• Keep the plants growing vigorously. Rapidly growing plants can better tolerate or outgrow damage from insects and diseases, but they also quickly use up available nutrients. Applying fertilizer (and water) at critical times during maximum plant growth is essential for producing pest- and disease-resistant plants.
• Keep it clean. Remove plants and debris at the end of the season to avoid harboring insects and diseases. Remove weeds which may provide shelter for pests. Dispose of or burn diseased plants, fruits, and vegetables. Composting is seldom thorough enough to eliminate disease-causing fungi and bacteria.
• Rotate crops. Planting the same crop in the same place year after year invites losses due to soilForne diseases and overwintering pests. Follow a crop rotation of at least three years.
• Water properly. Plants suffering from an excess or lack of water will be less vigorous and more susceptible to diseases and pests. Consider using some form of drip irrigation, which keeps foliage dry and helps prevent foliage diseases, in addition to using water more efficiently.
• Use mulch. Mulches help control weeds and reduce moisture evaporation from the soil surface.
• Provide good air circulation. Overcrowding plants can cause weak growth and an increase in foliage diseases.
• Get to know the major pests in your area. Learn the weaknesses in their life cycle, their habits, and at which stages they are most easily controlled. Refrain from using any pesticide until you have properly identified the pest. Your local extension agents can help with positive identification.
• Grow plants adaptable to Kansas conditions. For a list of flowers that have proven to grow well in Kansas, consult the Prairie Star and Prairie Bloom list of plants, developed by K-State Research and Extension, available at www.prairiestarflowers.com or www.lyon.ksu.edu
• Put up birdfeeders and birdhouses. Birds are the leading predators of insects.
• Inspect the entire garden at least weekly. Check the undersides of leaves and bark. Catch any problems when they first develop, so they can be more easily controlled.
• Be realistic about your expectations. Don’t expect picture-perfect plants or produce every time. Accept the fact that there may be some damage and even occasional crop failure. This is also the case in many lawns, gardens, and landscapes using conventional pest control methods.