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Re: Grub removal organically?

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

Chris wrote:

>Long time reader, first time poster.  Hope I've done this
>correctly.  I'm looking for a way to rid my garden and lawn of
>white grubs organically.  I have a relatively small area to control,
> but the grubs have become more of a problem over the past few >years.  Due
to mild winters perhaps here in the Philadelphia
> area, zone 6?  Any help would be appreciated.


There's a substance (a bug disease, really) called milky spore disease which
is used to control grubs on a long-term basis.  It isn't cheap, but is
allegedly effective for many years.  You can find it at some garden stores,
on the internet (try entering 'milky spore disease' in a search engine), or
in ads in the back of Organic Gardening magazine.


>I would also like to know if anyone has found a way to get rid
>of "black spot" on roses organically.  Thanks for your time.


Here's a recipe I was given for a good all-purpose plant spray, which
allegedly reduces fungal diseases.  It was borrowed from a poster to
rec.gardens.
------
In one gallon of water:

1 T liquid seaweed
1 T fish emulsion
1 T apple cider vinegar (not the FLAVORED kind, the real stuff)
1 T black strap molassas
1 T epsom salt
1 cup manure tea

There are products which are sold in concentrated form, or you can make your
own spray, and  use it a minimum of once every two weeks, or as often as
once every 4-5 days.  This method helps plants with both cold and heat
tolerance, keeps insects off (particularly white fly and spider mites) and
feeds the foliage through the stomata, which are tiny cellular structures on
the leaves which can take in moisture and nutrients.  Best to spray in early
morning before the heat of the sun, or in the evening after the sun is over
the horizon.  In winter, it can provide about 5-10 degrees of protection to
plants which ordinarily blacken at 32 degrees.

Baking soda does not control blackspot, it prevents it.  If a plant is
already infected, it will not help at all.  However, if you put the
baking soda (a heaping tablespoon) in with the mixture I gave you
above, and begin spraying your roses as soon as you see buds forming, you
will prevent the blackspot, and powdery  mildew.  Now, if the roses do not
have good aeration, nothing will prevent problems, including orthenex,
funginex and the like.
-----

Hope this helps - if nothing else, it's guaranteed to make your
yard good n' smelly!  :)

Jason, waiting for the next snowstorm...
Z5a, near Omaha, NE


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