As we are going through the tasks of caring for our vegetable gardens, it is a great time to find some ways we can not only grow amazing organic food, but also find ways we can grow a bit greener.I don't mean lush growth exactly, I mean do a little more to recycle, reuse and repurpose items that we use in our every day life. In other words, how can we grow a little bit greener? What are some little changes we can make to help save costs, save … [Read more...]
Attracting Bees To The Vegetable Garden
Bees are sometimes regarded as a menace in the backyard. They can buzz around you becoming annoying or possibly even sting you if you get them mad. The truth is that bees are very important to the productivity of your vegetable garden. Bees are the number one pollinator in the U.S. You can work like crazy on the care of your precious vegetable plants, but if bees do not visit some of the blooms, your vegetable garden could be in trouble. … [Read more...]
How To Attract Beneficial Insects
Yesterday's post was about how to identify beneficial insects, now we need to know how to get them in the vegetable garden. Attracting beneficial insects can be a very tricky quest, but there are many ways to lure them to the pests that are hampering the garden. The best way to attract beneficial insects is to provide an environment suitable to the tastes of what you are attracting - providing favorable food, water and shelter.Ladybugs, … [Read more...]
How To Identify Beneficial Insects
Some gardeners may get the urge to zap any insect they may see in the vegetable garden. Before ridding the insect from your garden, you may want to do some research - the critter just might be helping your vegetable garden. There are some insects that defend your precious vegetables by eating or infecting the naughty bugs that are out to destroy all your hard work. These beneficial insects are the unsung heroes of the vegetable garden.The … [Read more...]
‘Plague’ of 10 Million Ladybirds Descend On Eco-Farm – Daily Mail Reporter
A giant swarm of up to 10 million ladybirds has descended on a farm and covered 'every possible inch' of the 20-acre site.The red and black insect army fell 'like a cloud' over the farm and are now three or four deep on walls, tree trunks and machinery and look like a 'crawling, wriggling carpet' according to farmers.It is the largest swarm of ladybirds in 10 years. … [Read more...]
Organic Pesticides for the Vegetable Garden
Today's vegetable gardeners are becoming more and more aware of the importance of using organic products, and pesticides are no exception.Using organic pesticides instead of the chemical types is very important for protecting the environment, gardener well-being, and for a fresh harvest.If you are new to growing your own vegetables, here are a few useful organic pesticides that will handle many issues with those pesky critters.Using … [Read more...]
Tips for Getting Rid of Mosquitoes
Now that summer is upon us it is time for the peskiest critter of them all - the mosquito. When the temperatures soar during the summer, the best time to venture out into the garden is right about dusk. The cooler temperatures and softer light make gardening and enjoying the outdoors very pleasant. Unfortunately, that is also the best time for mosquitoes to start annoying the heck out of you. Mosquitoes can leave large red bites and itchy welts … [Read more...]
Tips for Helping to Sustain Bee Populations
The bee has long been a friend to the vegetable gardener because of its pollinating abilities. The last several years have seen dramatic declines in bee populations - dropping almost 30% from September 2008 to April 2009 in the U.S. alone. This rapid decline in bee population was first noticed around 2006, when it began to be referred to as Bee Colony Collapse Disorder (BCCD). Bee populations continue to decline still today.Although … [Read more...]
Garden Connections