Re(2): What is organic gardening

theryans@xtra.co.nz writes:
>> I'm with Barry - I just don't spray anything at all. And I swear with
>hand
>> on heart, in our little yard planted mainly with a variety of tough,
>common,
>> drought-resistant plants there hasn't been a problem without them. The
>> hummingbirds, lady bugs and hoverflies eat the aphids. By the end of the
>> season we have a few spiders who have grown all through summer and have
>by
>> autumn have acquired both a regular home and a personality; they look
>like
>> they could bring down small planes but they're also pretty good at
>cutting
>> down the cabbage moth population. And for the snails, well there's my
>> husband as predator. Though he's organic, he's still quite lethal to
>them.
>> 

i must have missed cyndi's post.

	Anyhow i really havent had any problems with aphids at all except my
Miscanthus. When i first bought them i didnt realize they had aphids til i
got them home (the plants had a lot of dead leaves, etc. and at half off i
couldnt resist). ANyways one of the other problems is the one plant that
got them was over an Argentine Ant hill (vicious ants, are vicious enough
to raid wasp nests). So im thinking the ants kept other insects away. But
like i said, a strong jet of water got rid of most. The others i squished
by finger. I now have a power washer and its not strong enough to damage
plants, but no aphid could hold on (they'd probably get smashed by the
spray). 
Ive never had problems with my Prunus cerassifera getting aphids. Although
it is small right now, but as far  as i have seen on other P. cerassiferas
throughout town, they really dont get pest problems. Maybe a few holey
leaves, but thats about it. So the trees never required being sprayed.
	About spiders, we have a juniper thats in a small tree form thats loaded
with spiders. I counted five one day. One time when i saw a scout termite
land ont he porch, i picked it up by its wings, and gave it to the
spiders. Got rid of that potential harm to the house!
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