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"The beetles don't inherit the earth. Now they do. That way we can make peace with the landlords. -Thomas Eisner
On May 21st my husband put up an electric fence around the bees to keep out the vermin namely bears. Last year we lost all our dens to the average bear and this year he is determined to scare away the bears. Whether you have a beehive or a garden, pest control is only part of the game. There are many methods you can use depending on the type of pest.
If you have pests such as deer, rabbits and birds, create barriers to prevent or reduce damage to your garden. There is only one method you can use - electric or wire fencing. You can also use row covers to hide your crops from hungry livestock, and also help with insect pests. To protect newly planted seeds from birds, place row covers directly on the soil until the seeds germinate. Remember that cover crops require pollination, you will need to remove cover crops on your plant's flowers. If you have strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, use bird netting or tulle to cover the plants. Another method used is the use of animal repellents. This spray will help encourage deer and rabbits to move around and find other food. We've had a lot of success with animal sprays. The man scatters flowers and vegetables in the garden and sprinkles them again after the rain so that the deer walk around the neighborhood in a different way.
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If your pests are insects, you can use several different methods. If you're growing a particular problem plant, look for a pest-resistant variety. Intercropping or planting side by side can help confuse the insects as they try to find good food. We planted onions and garlic among some of the vegetables to keep pests at bay. Different colors, with normal green leaves, can confuse vegetable pests. Some insects tend to appear at certain times of year, so by planting seedlings indoors to start early, or planting them late, your plants will miss that peak insect feeding period. Growing vegetables in pots or raised beds can help protect plants from damage by low-flying insects or fungi moving along the ground. Barriers such as row covers help prevent access to your plants. Keep it off the ground so it doesn't end up in your neighbors yard the next windy day. Cosmos, nasturtiums, sweet alissum and dill attract beneficial insects which feed on insect pests and even hatch their young. Plants that are well watered and cared for will help keep them healthy and pest free.
If the disease is a pest in your garden, there are several ways you can reduce the damage it causes. One way you can do this is by growing disease-resistant varieties. For example, if you enjoy growing tomatoes but continue to have problems with Alternaria, consider growing an Alternaria resistant variety. Good drainage helps reduce weeds and reduces the incidence of soil diseases. Practice good garden hygiene to reduce pests by properly disposing of diseased plants. Some diseased plants can be placed in a compost heap, while others must be buried, burned or disposed of. Finally, clean and disinfect gardening tools, especially when working with diseased plants.
If you can't pick tomatoes, head to Baraboo Community Gardens on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. to buy from the Sauk County Master Growers Association. You'll find a proven heirloom of candies and hybrids. This park is located at Attridge Park, 900 Second St., Baraboo. All proceeds will be used for future projects by expert gardeners in our community.
