When early spring days have finally arrived, so do the hungry critters that would love to devour your vegetables and flowers. Now is the time to be proactive and take steps to prevent pests. Here’s what to do:
SLUGS AND SNAILS: These slimy creatures can quickly decimate a new planting of greens overnight. Baits work best, especially the organic type baits containing iron phosphate. The trick to getting them to work efficiently gently is to begin baiting before planting. When preparing planting beds, sprinkle bait after making the bed. Wait a few days, then plant and bait again. These steps are necessary because when given a choice between a succulent transplant or a crumble of bait, the slug/snail will choose the transplant first. When planting in containers, be sure to inspect under the pots. That is where slugs hide. Then, bait and plant.
BRASSICAS: Since summers on the coast tend to be cool and foggy, growing broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower and the like is fairly easy, except for the pests. Green cabbage worms, gray aphids and root maggots are pests that can do considerable damage to these crops. After planting out starts, cover with row cover to make sure these pests do not take hold. Spraying with neem oil or insecticidal soap will help keep aphids in check if they do appear. Thick rice straw mulch will help keep root maggots from taking hold. Bacillis thuringiensis will kill green cabbage worms. All sprays are organic.
ROSES: These days, roses are putting on an amazing amount of fresh, new growth. Aphids love this. The best way to get rid of an infestation is to first hose the pests off with a stiff spray of water. Next, after foliage dries, spray insecticidal soap or neem oil. Check roses weekly until early summer when new growth has finally hardened off.
CARROTS: Once the soil warms later this spring it is time to sow carrot seeds. However, the carrot rust fly loves carrots more than you do. The flies smell the carrot foliage, then deposit eggs in the soil near the roots. The best way to prevent the worms from ruining roots is to mulch thickly with rice straw when the tops are up to 3 inches tall. Keep mulching thickly as roots mature.
INSPECTIONS: There are many natural ways to control pests in the garden. But they won’t work well if weekly inspections are not made. Attacking the problem before it gets out of hand is the key. Now is the time to get started.
Terry Kramer is the retired site manager for the Humboldt Botanical Garden and a trained horticulturist and journalist. She has been writing a garden column for the Times-Standard since 1982. She currently runs a gardening consulting business. Contact her at 707-834-2661 or terrykramer90@gmail.com.
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