From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Tinykinville

I am switching to organic growing this year. Last year with miracle grow I grew a 1013. I am looking to top that this year and any information regarding compost tea, what to include in watering and any other tricks would be appreciated, such as what to include before burying the vines.

5/13/2009 3:58:50 AM

Dummer Twp - Ontario

I think most growers are adding "organic" soil ammendments these days. The part thats the hardest is getting control of bugs and soil borne disease the natural way. As far as bugs go you can use Diamatacious earth, commercial garlic sprays and the other natural recipes just search on the net. Actinovate is certified for organic use. There are others in use if you do a search they are quite easy to find. One main thing with going the non chemical way is that you have to be on top of things all the time, if you give the little buggers a small window they will make the most of it.

Kirk

5/13/2009 5:48:57 AM

[email protected]

And you can't be too careful with the squash vine borer. Not sure how effective organic stuff is with them. It's the only thing I'm really concerned about during the season to protect against.

5/13/2009 9:54:43 AM

Woburn, Ma

The compost tea should be the easy part. I agree that the bugs will be the problem. I do everything in my garden organic. I have made every kind of replellent using: garlic,cayenne pepper,chile powder,tabasco,onions... and I still constantly battle the cuke beetles. I have learned to plant extra plants for the ones that will become diseased. The only positive part is they stay in the garden and away from the pumpkins. I have not tried planting any plants that are suppose to repel them: Nasturtiums, petunias. I have not had any luck yet with any organic home made receipe to fight off the vine borer. My squash vines always have them at the end of the year but I still get plenty of squash off the plants. I only do my garden organic not my pumpkins.

5/13/2009 7:59:02 PM

[email protected]

Garlic & Mosquito barriers are go good insect repellents.

5/13/2009 11:06:16 PM

Westford, MA

Panty hose tent over the trunk and exposed main vine.
They lay eggs on the hose and they don't get thru.

5/14/2009 10:18:55 AM

Tinykinville

Thankyou for the advice, but I am not too concerned with being organic with the insectices. I was wondering more about what things to add to organic tea and what to add as fertilizer when watering. Currently for my tea I am just using maple syrup and worm castings. When I water I add calcium, fish emoltion, seawead, and humic and falvic acid. I have never used any of these before and was wondering what other growers apply and at what rate?

5/14/2009 9:27:17 PM