#16 |
Two years ago, my GH tomatoes were covered in whitefly, it was like walking into a snowstorm..............and there were tagetes/French marigolds growing in there.
This year, no sign of whitefly in the GHs. I blame the weather!
I've learned to live with "pests" - everything has a place and a job to do - whether its whitefly, slugs, snails etc. I don't grow in beds and rows to the exclusion of other plants but prefer to mix them up in happy confusion. Polyculture. If I constantly have a problem with growing a certain thing, and I can't live with the damage, I stop growing it and grow something else.
I don't spray and the only feed I use is chicken manure pellets in the planting hole (when I remember) and some liquid seaweed fertiliser/maybe some Tomorite for the tomatoes.
I water the GHs with fish pond water, where possible, if not with rainwater.
I buy bags of compost for the GH plants but they're whatever is cheap locally, not necessarily "organic".
TBH, I think the word "organic" is being slapped on too many things and I'm dubious about some manufacturers' claims.
This year, no sign of whitefly in the GHs. I blame the weather!
I've learned to live with "pests" - everything has a place and a job to do - whether its whitefly, slugs, snails etc. I don't grow in beds and rows to the exclusion of other plants but prefer to mix them up in happy confusion. Polyculture. If I constantly have a problem with growing a certain thing, and I can't live with the damage, I stop growing it and grow something else.
I don't spray and the only feed I use is chicken manure pellets in the planting hole (when I remember) and some liquid seaweed fertiliser/maybe some Tomorite for the tomatoes.
I water the GHs with fish pond water, where possible, if not with rainwater.
I buy bags of compost for the GH plants but they're whatever is cheap locally, not necessarily "organic".
TBH, I think the word "organic" is being slapped on too many things and I'm dubious about some manufacturers' claims.
The Moneyless Chicken says:-
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.