Organic Gardening

[vfem]

Though I love posting in the gardening threads, and definitely over at TEG (theeasygarden.com)... I know a lot of you haven't ventured over there yet. I know there is some garden threads going here as well, but I wanted one to focus on organic gardening. Part of the reason is the amount of 'natural' ways we discover to garden, and concocting some really elaborate ways to be sustainable by reusing & recycling to grow our gardens.

I guess, this thread focuses on the elaborate and non-traditional gardens we all put together, and the things we do that are so unique.

Recently in my garden, I've been fighting bugs on my fruit trees... and I won't spray. I do dormant Neem oil spray in Winter and right before spring... however after that I spray nothing. I don't want to harm the good bugs around them, like bees, spiders and parasite wasps that are doing an awesome job out in my garden. So I read an article that talked about fruit bags, some were ziplock bags (but in this heat, the fruit would mush) but there was mention of row cover material and WALLA.... we have row cover fruit bags now protecting our fruit from bugs. These went on AFTER pollination was complete and the fruit started forming. I may not be able to cover it all, but long as I cover enough to keep us in some fruit this late summer & fall.... I will be pleased!

Before (pears):

After (same tree):

The peach trees and apples are next.... takes about 30 minutes to make 10-15 bags.

 

[galanie]

Neat idea!

I won't be doing this though for a couple reasons, the main one being that the squirrels get the fruit before they're anywhere near being ready to pick. Anyone have organic ideas for keep the little (*&%% from doing this? They pull off pears and apples when still pretty green and take a bite then pitch it on the ground. I get no fruit myself from these trees because of this. Up till now I didn't care but I'd really like to start at least getting a few apples.

I can't cover the trees with netting, they are too big. I can cover parts but I'd like some sort of repellent or something instead.

PS - dont' tell me to feed the squirrels. After having them tear up expensive equipment, nest in my attic and gnaw the roof supports, and dig up my gardens, there is no way in this life I'd encourage or feed them.

 

[vfem]

I was told the bags do keep the squirrels from going to town on the fruit. Each bag is 7"x7" and holds a couple of pears in each bunch. There is plenty of expansion room for growth. I would assume if the squirrel can't get its paws on the fruit it would move on. May be a good idea to do to 50 or so pieces of fruit so you at least get some!

Other then that, I luckily don't have a squirrel issue.... *knock on wood*

 

[galanie]

Quote:
I was afraid you'd say that

I suffer from Lazy Butt and bagging the fruit probably looks like more work than it really is.

If I ever had one wish granted it would be that I never had more than 2 squirrels in my yard, ever. Or none at all would work well for me too. I just can't see any positive thing they contribute to my situation. Whatever preys on them preys on chickens too, so that is out. There is nothing they eat that I want them to eat as far as I can tell. I'd really like them all to go away. People think they are cute but they are very destructive little beasts.

 

[vfem]

Sorry, I do not believe they are 'cute'... they freak me out. Chipmunks yes... squirrels NO! HAhahaha

As for the bags, it took all of the time mainly to make the bags. Bagging the fruit after took like 3 minutes to do that little tree. No big deal... if you have an hour or 2 free on a weekend I would do at least a few. Do a test run, see if its worth your time to do more next year. At least you'll know if the squirrels will mess with the bags or not. Then you won't have to spray and you won't have to do much else. One problem with organic gardening... it really can be double the work, but I so enjoy the rewards!

 

[java girl 2]

To galanie: try guineas or muscovy ducks to keep the little

way out from your trees and they eat the bugs !!!

when I had the Guineas, the squirrels ran as fast as they can run and they never whent for the trees when the guineas are there.

if you need to you can put a fence up to keep the guineas in the trees and clip the wings to keep them in the fence!!

 

[KenK]

Squirrels are tasty. Squirrel & dumplings, Brunswick stew, fried squirrel...
Not sure if a 12 gauge qualifies as organic but it's what I use.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Gonna have to try this for sure!!



The bags, not the squirrel & dumplin's!!




ETA--An "old timer" I know makes pear liquor. He actually puts a bottle over the pear right after they show they have been pollinated. The pear grown in the bottle. I think he fills the bottle with vodka, may even be "shine" down here after the pears are ripe.