Howdy Farm would love for you to know our Interns, so we've interviewed each one. We asked them why they chose Howdy Farm and what they plan on doing while they're here. |
Pests. We, farmers and gardeners and hobbyists alike, have watched beloved plants wither and wilt because of pests. For organic farmers and those who prefer to not use pesticides, the algorithm to remove harmful insects seems that much harder to solve. We labor, pull weeds, remove aphid-infested leaves by hand. Sometimes it seems like a cyclic routine--but preventative actions can act as a road block. Taking action ahead of time, and knowing the first signs of pests, can be the best form of plant medicine available. The three bugs listed below, all from the order Hemiptera, contain a proboscis that sucks moisture from the plant. |
So here are some tips for organic, preventative pest control:
1) The War of Ladybeetles and Aphids
Everyone loves ladybeetles (also called ladybird beetles). Children pick them up in awe, and some cultures associate the beetle with good luck. However, seeing ladybugs also mean that aphids--their main food source--are in the area. Thin white filaments on budding leaves or flowers also mean aphids, and they are often called plant lice because they live in hoards and are hard to completely remove.
Everyone loves ladybeetles (also called ladybird beetles). Children pick them up in awe, and some cultures associate the beetle with good luck. However, seeing ladybugs also mean that aphids--their main food source--are in the area. Thin white filaments on budding leaves or flowers also mean aphids, and they are often called plant lice because they live in hoards and are hard to completely remove.
For a short-term solution, aphids can be washed off with water. Another way of removing them is simply to get rid of any infested leaves and care for lacewing and lady beetle populations. Preventative measures include planting chives or garlic close to the plant you want to protect, or even planting banana peels in between the desired plants. Some websites recommend using an oil-and-water mix spray in the place of pesticides, such as orange oil mixtures.
2) Leaffooted Bugs can rasp the life out of your plants.
With mouths that are almost the length of their own body, Leaffooted Bugs (from the family Pentatomidae) are able to pierce a variety of fruits, nuts and vegetables in order to drink.Their spawn cluster in groups, like those in the picture to the right. Their enemies range from the tiny wasp to the colder temperatures of winter. In Texas, Leaffooted bugs can survive winter using old houses or piles of wood and compost--so it's important to remove such things from a garden site regularly. They're nearly impossible to get rid of, and can leave unsightly blotches on your produce. Planting a trap crop of sunflowers or manually removing/squashing the insects can help stop them from spreading to more valuable crops. | Leaffooted bugs are nearly impossible to get rid of, so supplying them with an alternate source of food (called a trap crop) can help eliminate their presence from more valuable crops . |
3) Mealybugs can cause plant wilting.
Mealybugs are closely related to aphids, as because of this they can be controlled by ladybugs. They received their name from the waxy substance secreted on their backs, and love plants with higher amounts of nitrogen. Softer plants, such as bean shoots or younger growths, are some of their favorite meals. They also, like the Leaffooted Bug, have long mouths that pierce into the stem of soft shoots. Their egg sacks can look like a form of fungus, or mildew, and are usually placed on the underside of a leaf or out of the sun. The best way to get rid of them is to promote ladybug and lacewing populations, and to remove infested leaves regularly. Washing them off using water can act as a good, short-term solution. |
Know how pests consume produce.
The three insects listed in this article are all bad because of their mouth apparatuses. They all have a proboscis that is harder than a butterfly's or a moth's, made for piercing leaves. Aphids, Leaffooted Bugs and mealybugs all cause some damage because of the way they eat produce, by digging in and sucking away nutrients. In some cases the damage is only superficial, like the discoloration caused by the leaffooted bug. However, mealybugs and aphids both cause significant damage by swarming in large numbers onto leaves and drying them up, preventing the plant from thriving. Using flowers to attract natural enemies, like marigold for lacewings, can be another help to protect what you grow.
The Howdy Farm is focusing on winter crops, such as kale, chard, and cabbage. These plants do better in the cooler months of Fall, and continue to grow throughout Texas' winter. Current crops include cucumber, pumpkin, butternut squash, acorn squash, and okra, all of which are either on the market or will be soon.
Howdy Farm is back and ready for volunteers and consumers alike.
Volunteer hours are from 1-5 pm every MWF.
Volunteer hours are from 1-5 pm every MWF.
Upcoming events include:
September 11: After volunteer hours end at 5:00 pm, Howdy Farm will head over for a bite at Blackwater Draw.
September 17th: At 6:00 pm, Howdy Farm is throwing a Welcome Back Cookout, and hopes to provide information to new and old students at the farm.
September 20th: Volunteers and members meet for breakfast at Hullabaloo Diner and then head to Millican Reserve's "Market On The Green" for shopping and entertainment.
September 11: After volunteer hours end at 5:00 pm, Howdy Farm will head over for a bite at Blackwater Draw.
September 17th: At 6:00 pm, Howdy Farm is throwing a Welcome Back Cookout, and hopes to provide information to new and old students at the farm.
September 20th: Volunteers and members meet for breakfast at Hullabaloo Diner and then head to Millican Reserve's "Market On The Green" for shopping and entertainment.
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