Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
three quarts of water, shaking, and applying via a sprayer. (I
cannot stress strongly enough that all bottles containing
poisons of any sort be labeled appropriately. Not far from
where I live, a child died tragically a couple of years ago
because of an unlabeled container of insecticide.)
Other natural insecticides are widely available, including
neem. These can be purchased at most garden centers or via
mail order and should be used with as much care and caution
as synthetics, because they can be toxic to humans.
Synthetic Pesticides
While this topic focuses on organic methods, synthetic
pesticides available to home gardeners bear mentioning.
Ideally, because of a combination of growing conditions,
attraction of natural predators, and other factors, pests won't
be a problem so no pesticides will be needed—synthetic or
otherwise. But that's the ideal. Reality can be far different,
especially when first beginning a mini-farm. Even the most
careful planning won't completely eliminate pest problems.
As a mini-farmer, you are trying to put a lot of food on the
table, and you are trying to put safe food on the table.
Perhaps, like me, you are an organic purist. But what happens
when the theory of being an organic purist runs into the
reality of a pest problem that threatens an entire crop? In my
case, since I sell my produce as organic at 200% higher rates
than conventional produce, it is actually better for me to lose
a crop entirely than use synthetic pesticides. But what if my
operation were strictly oriented toward putting food on the
table? In that case, maybe I would use them, albeit cautiously
and as a last resort, because some research shows that the
