eChipmunks

What are you planting?

I have my first REAL garden! No more containers or small plots. I have a large garden for the first time! Just tilled it yesterday. I'm going to plant rows of cherry tomatoes, roma tomatoes, beefstake tomatoes, sweet corn, cayenne peppers, bell peppers, watermelon, cucumbers, and sunflowers! Any tips for organic ways for pest control is welcome!

Public Comments

1. I myself am planting a variety of things this year. tiny tim tomatoes yellow pear tomatoes corn watermelon sugar snap peas strawberries asparagus multi color bell peppers cucumbers carrots The biggest problem I have each year by way of pests is actually cute little furry ones. Rabbits regularly try to sneak in and steal my sprouts before they are strong. I've tried fencing, caging, various sprays, but nothing seems to work as well as having my brother go out and urinate around the proximity of the garden. The levels of testosterone are picked up by small animals and they don't dare come in my garden.
2. i am planting flowers only.
3. Best organic pest control is floating row covers. Be sure to allow sufficient space now that you have room around your tomato plants because a stressed plant will be attacked by insects more frequently. You can also try companion plantings to confuse insects. You are probably going to find out with your corn the major pest will be blackbirds that love to pull up corn seedlings. You can either try planting deeper so the birds can't pull out the corn, or what works best for me, the floating row covers until the corn is big enough to prevent damage. The birds love beans also. I have tried everything to prevent rabbit damage including coyote urine. Chicken wire fencing is the only solution that worked for me. Since I am organic, the only chemical I use is insecticide soap. This is only for infestations, usually if I keep plants strong and healthy I do not have much of a problem. I grow most all vegetables.
4. Congratulations on your first REAL garden! I have tomatoes, basil, green beans, cantaloupe, watermelon, peas, lettuce, beans (green and pinto), spinach, sunflowers, cosmos, radishes, beets, carrots, artichokes and squash. Start a compost heap and collect lots of leaves this fall. Amending your garden soil will promote healthier plants. Put rock piles around to attract lizards for insect control. I recently moved to Scottsdale, AZ, so I have been enjoying the concept of year-round gardening. We just finished eating our winter harvest of broccholi, cauliflower and brussels sprouts. Enjoy!