Biodynamic Farming in Maintaining Vegetable Gardens
Biodynamic farming is one popular agriculture technique that is used by more and more farmers these days. It calls for organic and natural techniques to farming and maintaining health of plants and of course, the soil. Instead of investing in chemical sprays to keep vegetables healthy, there is a need to consider doing natural activities in doing so. Plucking pests and small insects that ruin vegetable leaves is one way.
There are numerous plant pests that you should prevent from thriving in your vegetable garden. For all you know, these pests are depriving your vegetable crops of the right and necessary nutrients and elements essential for growth and health. Your ultimate goal should always be to make your vegetable garden free from any of these pests:
Aphids – These are small, soft-structured insects feeding on vegetable growth tips and buds. They are responsible for making leaves curl and wither. These insects attack almost all kinds of vegetable crops. Insecticides are effective in killing and controlling them.
Beetles – Yes, these insects can be interesting and appealing. They come in hard and colorful shells and at different sizes. They produce irregularly-shaped and unnecessary holes in the leaves of the plants. They can be controlled manually by picking out, though, this can be a tedious and nerve-wracking activity.
Borer – These are insects responsible for wilting an entire vegetable plant. Borers can produce small holes in vegetables where wilting could uncontrollably begin. Borers usually attack melons, pumpkins and cucumbers. Controlling means there is a need for insecticides and for cutting affected parts or even destroying the whole plant.
Cabbage worms – The name is misleading because cabbage worms are not actually worms. They are caterpillars and are thriving underneath the top leaves of cabbages. They produce holes in foliages, which can startup withering and malnutrition in the plant. They usually attack cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli.
Cutworms – Like cabbage worms, cutworms are not technically worms. They are another kind of caterpillars. They can wilt an entire vegetable plant. To control their infestation, there is a need to cut off the plant at the base to prevent contagion. Cutworms usually affect pepper, tomato and cabbage.
To correct any misconception and wrong beliefs, earthworms should not be included in the list of vegetable garden pests. That is because they actually are not. On the contrary, earthworms have been found to be helpful in making vegetable crops healthier and more disease and pest resistant.
Earthworms help boost air and water circulation in the soil through their constant burrowing activities. When they do so, they even transport nutrients from the topsoil down to the subsoil where vegetable roots are. Worms eat decaying organic matters, breakdown chemicals and synthetics in the soil and excrete castings and slimes that further fertilize vegetable crops. This way, the creatures have been proven to be helpful in making plants stronger, healthier and more resistant to ailments and pests. Through controlling plant stress, pests are driven away.
If you want to make use of the effective biodynamic farming style in agriculture, you should learn to consider earthworms as your best friend. They may be creepy and disgusting in appearance, but they bring no harm, especially to your vegetable garden. Instead, they bring life.
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