Common Beans stats/requirements at a glance Ease of Raising:2/5 – Biweekly check-upsWater:2/5 – Twice a weekSun:4/5 – Full sun, shade tolerantTraining:3/5 – Some, support with stakesFertilise/Feeding:3/5 – Monthly, half strength liquid fertiliserTime to Harvest:3/5 – Moderate, 2-3 monthsFrost Hardiness:2/4 – Tender, can’t cope with mild frost Uses:CulinaryMost Problematic Nemesis:Black bean aphidsContainer Plant:Yes Haricot Plantes potageres Vilmorin-Andrieux,… Continue reading Common Bean plant: How to Grow – Vegetable of the Month
Tag: Pest Control
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… Continue reading Flies: Biological Control – Garden Critter of the Month
Leafhoppers – Garden Pest of the Month
Leafhoppers at a glance Type of Damage Pierce-sucking Plant Symptoms Browning & curling of leaf edges Favourite Plant Tomatoes & Potatoes Control Biological (predators: spiders & mantids) Quick Intro These jumping insects are common in the garden, especially around the Acacia trees in our garden. Not only do they attack plants, but they lower the… Continue reading Leafhoppers – Garden Pest of the Month
Pest Control & Pesticide Resistance: Mechanisms & Prevention
Pests are considered resistant to a certain chemical compound (natural or synthetic compounds) when it is no longer killed or adversely affected by the chemical. Most pesticides target biological systems in order to control pest populations – “control” meaning: to reduce pest populations to levels that do not cause great plant - or economical… Continue reading Pest Control & Pesticide Resistance: Mechanisms & Prevention
General Garden Guidelines: Rules for all plants & seasons
Guidelines to happy, healthy vegetables & fruits: ✓ Vegetables and fruits require a certain amount of sunlight All vegetables and fruits require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight to be healthy and crop well. ✓ Water plants @ their stems This is important to prevent some diseases from infecting the leaves of plants… Continue reading General Garden Guidelines: Rules for all plants & seasons
Raspberry: How to Grow – Fruit of the Month
Raspberry stats/requirements at a glance Ease of Raising: 2/5 Weekly Check-ups (fruiting & ripening) Water: 4/5 Daily (they don’t mind ‘wet feet’ in pots) Sun: 4/5 Full sun, shade tolerant (morning sun preferable) Training: 5/5 Absolutely, require stakes and pruning of already fruited stems Fertilise/Feeding: 3-4/5 Moderate (monthly when growing) to fortnightly (fruiting) Time to… Continue reading Raspberry: How to Grow – Fruit of the Month
Pest Control: Biological control; organic & green recipes
My philosophy on pest control: Effective – preferably works with the first treatment Environmental and people friendly – do not want to kill off all the helpers in the garden and certainly do not want to poison myself or wait for two weeks for the chemicals to degrade before harvesting Cheap and sustainable – made… Continue reading Pest Control: Biological control; organic & green recipes
Whisker Flowers 