Is it possible anymore for any major event to occur without conspiracy theories appearing? What kind of future is this leading to where skepticism to the authorities either gets turned up to 100 automatically or any suggestion that there might be a coverup is immediately dismissed since there is a flood of conspiracy theories about everything?
Helpful advice. How do you deal with pests? I've had crops decimated by them--even plants that are supposed to be resistant to them. The worst has been watching them spread from one group to the next and knowing the fate that ultimately awaits those not yet afflicted...
My other top problem has been drainage. The soil seems to hold too much water and we get root rot and fungus killing the plants.
I don't really like the idea of using pesticides, however, so maybe this game isn't for me.
Helpful advice. How do you deal with pests? I've had crops decimated by them--even plants that are supposed to be resistant to them. The worst has been watching them spread from one group to the next and knowing the fate that ultimately awaits those not yet afflicted...
My other top problem has been drainage. The soil seems to hold too much water and we get root rot and fungus killing the plants.
I don't really like the idea of using pesticides, however, so maybe this game isn't for me.
It really depends on the pest. A good general practice is to not plant more than a couple like-plants directly next to each other. This doesn't necessarily protect your plants, but bugs will spread more slowly, giving you a shot at beating them. Larger pests like tomato worms are usually best picked off by hand. Smaller pests like aphids can sometimes be beaten with a very gentile mix of dish soap and water, and sprayed onto the leaves. I've heard of garlic/citrus/pepper mixes being used as well, but I've never tried them. Garlic/citrus sprays do work wonders for keeping deer away though.
I'm also big on trying to let nature do its own pest control. I always leave small overturned pots in my garden beds to try and promote spiders. I never spray for wasps on my property because they pollinate just like bees, but they also love hunting for mites in the foliage. There are also certain fragrant plants that can serve as insect repellant.
As for soil drainage, some people use products like vermiculite, but organic matter is my preferred solution. You can mix compost into the soil if you have a lot of clay, but I prefer to add a layer of wood chips and leaves each year and save the compost for adding under the plants when I transplant them. After a few years of adding wood chips, the fungal life in the soil will start to open up water pathways, and you'll notice that the water will start to regulate itself.
It really depends on the pest. A good general practice is to not plant more than a couple like-plants directly next to each other. This doesn't necessarily protect your plants, but bugs will spread more slowly, giving you a shot at beating them. Larger pests like tomato worms are usually best picked off by hand. Smaller pests like aphids can sometimes be beaten with a very gentile mix of dish soap and water, and sprayed onto the leaves. I've heard of garlic/citrus/pepper mixes being used as well, but I've never tried them. Garlic/citrus sprays do work wonders for keeping deer away though.
I'm also big on trying to let nature do its own pest control. I always leave small overturned pots in my garden beds to try and promote spiders. I never spray for wasps on my property because they pollinate just like bees, but they also love hunting for mites in the foliage. There are also certain fragrant plants that can serve as insect repellant.
As for soil drainage, some people use products like vermiculite, but organic matter is my preferred solution. You can mix compost into the soil if you have a lot of clay, but I prefer to add a layer of wood chips and leaves each year and save the compost for adding under the plants when I transplant them. After a few years of adding wood chips, the fungal life in the soil will start to open up water pathways, and you'll notice that the water will start to regulate itself.
More good ideas. And phuk aphids. Those things are the worst.
More good ideas. And phuk aphids. Those things are the worst.
Gardening really just takes some trial and error. I've been growing food for several years now, and I still lose at least 20% of the varieties I plant each year. I think the key is to get 2-3 varieties of each crop you want, and generally at least one of them will like your climate. For example, I had 8 different kinds of tomato this year, and only 3 of them really took off.
It also really helps to start several of each plant indoors in cups. Seedlings dry out way faster than established plants, so starting them indoors makes it way easier to get them going.
Besides that, its really all about having good dirt, and the proper amount of sun. Keep a little notebook that documents the strain and planting date of your good plants, and in a few years gardening has a lot less guesswork to it.