697: Planting for the Bugs.
A Garden Chat with Suzanne Bontempo.
On the last Tuesday every month we host The Urban Farm Garden Chats where Greg Peterson has a relaxed conversation in a Zoom room with a special guest to cover useful gardening topics, and they answer questions from the live listening audience. To join us for the next event, go to www.GardenChat.org or
Click HERE to register for the Monthly Garden Chat with Live Q&A
In This Garden Chat:
Bugs play a vital role in the health of an ecosystem, and with a little strategic planting, we can invite the “good” ones to join us in our own growing spaces. Join us as we talk with Suzanne Bontempo about planning ahead for bugs, how to recognize the difference between pests and beneficial insects, and how to encourage the ones we want for our garden ecosystems.
Our Special Guest:
Suzanne Bontempo works as an environmental educator, teaching the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for sustainable, eco-friendly pest management around the home and garden. Suzanne, owner of Plant Harmony and program manager for Our Water Our World was recognized for excellence in her field winning the 2013 CA IPM Innovators Award. She has worked as a professional gardener for over 25 years and loves teaching folks how to grow bountiful gardens that are also safe and healthy for you, your family, and the environment.
CHAT HIGHLIGHTS:
– Integrated pest management (IPM)
– Cultural controls
– Mechanical controls
– Biological controls
– Chemical controls
– Avoiding the use of pesticides… and errors when you do use them
– Releasing ladybugs into your garden – tips for increased success
– Aphids – when they are a problem (and when they aren’t)
– Keeping bugs out of your garden – don’t!
– Beneficial insects – what makes them beneficial?
– Diagnosing a problem – the first step is observing
– Researching specific pests in your area and how to respond to them
– Bolstering the health of the environment
– Knowing when to tolerate the pests
– Foliar feeding program at the Urban Farm
– Mistaking other things for disease
– Bagging your fruit before harvesting
– Being cautious with cedar mulch
www.urbanfarm.org/garden22aug
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