I wrote in earlier this spring about starting a garden in a back yard that hadn't been touched since the 80's. Thanks for the great suggestions! Nothing but weeds and grass left to its natural state... a clean slate. Started digging, unearthed BILLIONS of big fat juicy worms and some really beautiful soil. That was in mid-May (I live in Northern Wyoming... Sheridan, and we have a short season.) Despite a cold and wet spring my veggies are finally going like gangbusters and are now naturally attracting some not so great pests. I had to squash a juicy grasshopper that couldn't stay away from the maters today. I am hesitant to start using any chemicals for the aphids and funguses that are bound to come my way,or even chemical fertilizers... I like keeping the natural balance of good buggies too and feel like my garden will be lower maintainance if I can build a strong base. So far I have just been using compost and marigolds to keep the junk out. And fearfully checking daily for any problems. Any suggestions for keeping things fresh for years to come? Good companion plants, preventive maintainance that anyone could offer?
have you ever tried soap? Doesn't work on everything, but it sounds like with your diligence, it might do the trick. Use ivory soap flakes (NOT the liquid soap) and mix it up with some warm water- something like 1 or 2% soap in water. Don't use it too often on the more fragile plants.
soap for bugs too? I had read somewhere that soap is good for animal pests like rabbits and squirrels, I have two dobermans and an eight foot fence so critters aren't a problem, any input on soap for bugs?
my family have used dish washing liquid and its foam succesfully on aphids for many years i remember way back when my nana used it on her roses and apple trees not sure if delicate plants would like it though
