Flies: Biological Control – Garden Critter of the Month

Flies at a glance Occupation: Predator, pollinator Value to Gardener: 5/5 - Pest Controller and Pollinator Danger to Humans: 2/5 – Most are harmless, some bite Availability: 5/5 – They’ll arrive or you can buy some Quick Intro Flies are seen as vermin and disgusting creatures. Although a large portion of flies are detrivores and…

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Sustainable, Productive and Economical Vegetable Gardening (Part 3): Integrated Organic Gardening

My vegetable garden is entering its 8th year and it has been a long journey of trial and error, many a dead or diseased plant and lots of research into various facets of food production along the way. As I have mentioned many times, organic gardening principles are not properly integrated and do not provide…

Wasps: Biological Control – Garden Critter of the Month

Wasps at a glance Occupation: Predator Value to Gardener: 5/5 - Pest Controller and Pollinator Danger to Humans: 4/5 – They can sting when provoked Availability: 5/5 – They’ll arrive or you can buy some Quick Intro The wasp is likely an under appreciated garden helper. They are one of a few insects that duel…

Insectary: Beneficial Insects & Garden Security Force

The Wildlife Garden - How to attract beneficial insects to your garden Integrative Pest Management (IPM) is the use of multiple pest preventative measures, such as diverse crop planting, crop rotation, green manures and responsible pesticide use. Enlisting the help of beneficial insects is also used to control pest populations and improve crop production.   Insectaries…

Amphibians – Garden Critter of the Month

Toads & Frogs at a glance Occupation: Predator Value to Gardener: 4/5 - Pest Controller! Danger to Humans: 0/5 - None Availability: 4/5 – They’ll arrive or you can buy some     Quick Intro Just a short post our regular garden inhabitant and cricket-controller. Amphibians include three lineages: salamanders, frogs & toads, and caecilians.…

Garden Helpers: Little creatures, big helpers

Little creatures that help in a big way The major helpers in the garden all reside within the soil community. The hardest and most efficient workers are the smallest; bacteria and fungi, which decompose organic material. The larger helpers are the toads, lizards and birds that catch and eat other pests, although, birds might eat…

Praying Mantis: Biological Control – Garden Critter of the Month

Mantids at a glance Occupation: Predator Value to Gardener: 5/5 - Pest Controller! Danger to Humans: 0/5 - None Availability: 5/5 – They’ll arrive or you can buy some Quick Intro Mantids are usually large, robust insects with mobile heads and large eyes. Mantids are visual predators that ambush prey with serrated forelimbs. I will…