Welcome to You Ask Andy

Kim Williamson, age 11, of Richmond, Virginia, for her question:

How do organic farms keep bugs away?

We know that plants respond to sounds. But organic growers do not rely on organ music to encourage the crops. Organic means nature's recycling systems that keep plants and animals going and growing. Life insists on many forms. Nature insists that all things live in balance with each other and the earth. A multitude of these patient organic systems progressed billions of years to prepare our luxurious planet.

A few years ago, we started spreading countless tons of new chemicals to wipe out insect pests in a hurry. But this also destroyed birds and the creatures of food chains that depend on bugs, plus useful insects that plants need. Another crisis arose when certain bug pests became immune and the cost of poison programs increased. Organic growers sought a sane answer to all these problems. They studied nature's age old systems of recycling organic wastes to restore a balanced ecology.

They had to learn, one by one, the multitude of methods nature uses to control plant and animal populations. We had made a mess of things. But nature proved generous and forgiving, willing to share her secrets and provide armies of surprising helpers, if we would strive to work with her.

The task begins by restoring the neglected soil. We test it for balanced plant nutrients, enrich it with composts of recycled organic wastes, cultivate it to let in air and water. This living soil grows sturdier plants, more capable of withstanding diseases and bugs. Cultivating also executes competing weeds and exposes grubs, grasshopper eggs and other buried bug pests to the drying air. They are destroyed before they get started.

Many pests winter in orchard twigs. They may be smothered with sprays of safe Ails, molasses and various kitchen ingredients. Gummy bands stop ants and other crawlers from getting onto the plants. The growing crops are checked daily. Each new pest is identified precisely and given individual treatment. The plants may be sprayed with red hot pepper, a safe solution that repels most pesky leaf chewers.

Each bug has his likes and dislikes, plus a quota of natural enemies. These details are learned and used against him. For example, ladybugs and lacewings, mantids and certain wasps dine on certain bug pests. If we release armies of these friendly insects in the fields and gardens, they gladly do what comes naturally, free of charge .

Organic growers may encourage 60 or so bird species that favor various bug pests on their menus. Purple martins devour more than enough garden pests to earn the rent for their fancy bird houses. Many bug pests detest the strong smells of certain herbs. Mint growing in the cabbage patch repels many enemies of the entire .cabbage family. Garlic in the rose garden repels aphids and Japanese beetles. The remedies are unlimited and full of surprises. We have just begun to look for them.

Organic growing is fascinating because it draws us into partnership with the wondrous workings of nature. We need time to learn enough to make it succeed on a big scale, but it seems the sane way to restore our ecology and ensure quality food supplies. You can test organic methods in a small plot, a window box or even a flower pot. Who knows, you may chance to discover one more of the secrets we need to know..

 

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