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Re: Grub removal organically?

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

At 6:54 AM -0500 3/11/99, "Chris Horvath" <Chtr.Ho@worldnet.att.net> 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.

Milky spore is used to control grubs. I believe you need to spray a
very large area even if you have a small area with a problem..

I haven't bothered with grub control (June bug not Japanese beetle
types) but have noticed their populations dramtically diminish where I
have improved my compacted clay soil with a lot of organic matter.
However, this could just well have coincided with environmental
conditions that are less favorable for grubs.

> 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.

Hand pick any black spotted leaves as soon as you see them. Replace the
mulch under roses that have been previously infected. Water in the
morning and don't let the foliage get wet. Black spot spores need
7+ hrs. of moistness to develop and are happiest when the weather is in
the mid-70's.

Try sprying the roses with a light horticultural oil or an
antitranspirant like Wilt-Pruf. This makes the leaf surface too slick
for the mold spores to stick well. Foliar feeding with compost or
manure teas can help with overall disease-resistance.

Cornell has tested a spray which is effective for prevention of black
spot. The recipe is 1 tablespoon baking soda, 2 1/2 teaspoons of light
horticultural or cooking oil, and a few drops of liquid soap in 1
gallon of water. Don't apply if the weather is above 85-90F--it will
fry the foliage.

If your roses are prone to heavy black spot and don't have sentimental
value replace them with a varieties that are disease-resistant in your
area. There are many disease-resistant roses of all types from which to
choose.


---
Peggy Enes (peggy@unicom.net)   Zone 5/6    NE KS     AHS Heat Zone 7


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