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Some causes of grubs etc are:
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poor mineral availability... means ph is off. Check PH should be between 6.8 and 7.2
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bad city water kills beneficials in soil
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top dress with compost several times per year
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apply good organic fertilizers with micros and bacteria several times per year
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apply rock dust several times per year
Caterpillars/Grubs
Caterpillars/Grubs are found in the soil. Grubs cause damage to the lawn by leaving yellow
or brown patches (roots of lawns are threatened). Generally speaking a certain amount of
grubs is to be expected in the soil. This is natural. So don't freak out if you spot a few
grubs in your garden, compost or soil. Grubs are birds favorite food as well as other
animals. Usually this too is not a problem.
Butterflies and your Garden:
Butterflies are a very important part of your organic garden. Butterflies don't care
about many things but the basics, food, shelter and water and of course companionship etc.
Butterflies need flowers that produce nectar throughout the growing season. Butterflies
make great pollinators and will help your vegetables and flowers, fruit trees to produce.
Attracting Butterflies to your garden is relatively easy and fun.
Here's a few steps in
that direction: 1..avoid using any chemicals at all in your Organic Garden 2..provide a
variety of plants that provide protection as well as food for them. 3. Provide a source of
water during dry season such as a pond or fountain. 4...Butterflies need salt in their
diet so provide a source of table salt for them.
Caterpillars?
Butterflies and caterpillars go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other.
Remember killing caterpillars will reduce the butterfly population so make up your mind
and decide which you want. Caterpillars can do a great deal of damage in an un balanced
system. If you are organic then leave the caterpillars alone. Mother Nature will keep
their populations down yet she will provide you with the butterflies you want in your
garden.
To enjoy these butterflies in abundance, learn to identify them in whatever stage of
growth they are in from egg to larval form to caterpillar form to the adult
form (butterfly). Some of my favorite butterflies are Monarch, Black
Swallowtail, Tiger
Yellowtail, Painted Lady and Morning Cloak to name just a few of the thousands.
So next time you see that caterpillar on your lawn, think twice before you kill it.
Soap Drenching
You can check for grubs by placing a can that has be cut at both ends, place one
end into the lawn then pour soapy water into it. In about 10-15 mins, see if any grubs
have come to the surface. These grubs can be dealt with thru the use of beneficial
nematodes. Just follow instructions for its application. In most cases its a simple
matter of dissolving in water then spraying on areas. Compost applications and avoidance
of high nitrogen fertilizers will help to control in future. Beneficial nematodes are
highly recommended for this control.
Grub Control:
Many lawn and garden problems can be caused by insects such as grubs when they reach
adult stage. Such as Japanese Beetle , Colorado Potato Beetle, etc
Beneficial nematodes: These micro organisms prey on larvae of many pests including
many grubs, cutworms, etc.
Last Update: 01/29/2013
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natural lawn
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