BigDaddy's Pest and Disease Strategy

Favorites - 13 of 70.jpg

Several of you have asked and often, as the farmer’s wife, I don’t always have the most educated answer; so, I went to the source, your Farmer Rex, and got the following information on how we control pests organically here at BigDaddys.

  1. WE rotate crops and cover crops. Disease is considerably lower and the vegetables more vigorous when this is done.

  2. WE choose resistant varieties. Disease and pest damage is very different depending on the cultivar (cultivated variety).

  3. WE choose varieties that are suitable to the climate that time of the year.

  4. WE plant single beds with other vegetables and flowers nearby to create diversity and avoid a monoculture.

  5. WE monitor insect and disease pressure daily.

  6. WE use organic approved crop protection chemicals when necessary and apply:

    1. the proper organic crop protection chemical. (i.e. Flea Beatles require a different approach than Caterpillars.)

    2. at the proper time. (Some materials should only be sprayed after dark to avoid bees and other friendly insects.)

    3. in the correct rate. (In accordance with the product label… weather and pest pressure can influence range.)

    4. with an effective sprayer. (Complete foliage coverage is important and spray drift minimized.)

Denise Clonts