Gardening Smart Smart Gardening Using Integrated Pest

Gardening Smart!

Smart Gardening Using Integrated Pest Management

Gardening Smart! n Healthy, productive plants use their natural defense systems to resist environmental stresses n How to use IPM for your home gardens – from ornamentals to vegetables and everything in between n Open questions

Today’s Smart Gardener The sensible approach to pest control is to create a natural balance of organisms in your yard or garden. In a diverse ecosystem, pest populations are naturally regulated. Development of this balance at your home relies on using products that minimize harm to beneficial organisms.

Plant Health n OLD: Commonly accepted to keep plants healthy was a broad application of chemicals to control pests – prescription pest control. n NOW: Though pesticides play a role in plant health, they also have limitations. In addition to environmental and health concerns, pesticides may give only limited and temporary control if other control measures and practices are not integrated into the overall management or maintenance program.

Practical Procedure for Plant Health n Planning and Site Placement n Site Preparation and Establishment n Selecting n Proper Appropriate Plants Cultural Practices

Planning and Site Placement n Sun n n Direction, speed, occurrence Soil n n n Sand, loam, clay p. H Nutrient analysis Water n n n Irrigated or not Hardscapes n Wind n n Full Sun Part Shade Deep Shade n House, driveway, fences, etc. Maintenance n Low, Medium, “Magazine”

Site Preparation & Establishment n Correct drainage or erosion problems n n n Amending and preparing the soil n n n Raised beds Contour landscape Soil p. H 6 -7 Organic matter Altering light conditions n n Removing tree limbs Thinning trees

Selecting Appropriate Plants n n Grow the right plant in the right place! Know the requirements of a plant before you buy it Select disease resistant varieties or cultivars Select high quality plant material

Proper Cultural Practices n Planting Techniques n n n n Moisture Management n n Prepare the hole B&B preparation Planting depth Water Management Maintenance Staking Establishment vs. Maintenance Fertility Management n n Fertilization Frequency Fertilization Timing

Plant Health Care n Healthy, productive plants can use their natural defense systems to resist environmental stresses. n As a result, they need less chemical input for survival and productive long-term growth. An especially important concept is the plant health care attempts to manage plant health rather than just control pest problems.

Integrated Pest Management: IPM n n n Uses multiple tools Uses chemicals when necessary Requires knowledge and planning Protect garden and landscape from pests Maintain beneficial organisms Effective pest management with least negative impact to the environment

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IPM Purple loosestrife is an exotic invasive species that out competes native habitats.

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IPM Turf n According to NASA's Ames Research Center: n 50, 000 square miles of the continental US is covered by lawn n There is 3 times as much irrigated grass as irrigated corn. n Turf is the most widespread irrigated crop.

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What general group of plants rarely, if ever, need fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation or any other special care after initial establishment? NATIVE PLANTS !

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