Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
ers, reading topics, checking out the Internet, or ask questions at
your local nursery or garden center. Vegetable gardening is a new
experience each season because you cannot predict what will hap-
pen. Do not be afraid to experiment with new plant varieties and try
out different natural controls. Stay away from pesticides when it
comes to your vegetable garden; they will not make your soil health-
ier and will kill the beneficial insects as well as the pests. Attracting
and keeping beneficial animals and insects in your garden brings you
closer to having healthier plants and a more abundant vegetable
harvest.
Birds, bats, toads, and snakes are all animals you want in your
garden. They will keep the slugs, snails, and many insects under
control. All these animals need food, water, and shelter. Your
unwanted pests give them all the food they need, but you may need
to supply water and shelter for these animals in order for them to
stick around. If you do not have an existing water pond or fountain,
place some water bowls around your garden and keep them filled.
Place a birdhouse in a tree near your garden. A bat house looks like
a flattened birdhouse with a thin slot for the entrance; they can also
be kept in trees. Use a clay flowerpot with a chipped rim as a toad
house. Place the pot upside down near a water source. Snakes will
live in a pile of rocks or a pile of sticks; just leave a bit of space in
between for them to crawl into. Making a home for these animals will
help control the ones you do not want!
Smoothie Garden Solution
Birds will keep harmful insects under control but will also eat your
corn seedlings and strawberries. If the birds are eating the seeds,
cover your seedbeds with bird netting until the seeds have
sprouted. Some gardeners tie colored tape to tree branches and
