GREEN TIP
OF THE MONTH: Perimeter Trap Cropping
A highly effective way to keep pests out of your organic organic is to invite
them in...well, sort of. Known as trap cropping, planting similar species of
plants nearby to the one's you are seeking to harvest from, can reduce pest
damage by as much as 90%. For example, cucumber beetles are notorious for
swooping in on crops of squash. As soon as one beetle finds the crop, more are
sure to follow. The only drawback to trap cropping is that if it is no executed
correctly, you can have an even larger pest problem on your hands than before.
The two most important components of successful trap cropping is choosing the
right foil plant and the location of where the foil is planted. Planting trap
crops around the perimeter of your harvest crop (called perimeter trap cropping,
or PTC), while leaving ample enough space in between the two crops, is very
important. Understandably, if we are talking about a small organic garden in
your yard, there probably is not going to be ample room to do a perimeter
planting. In this case, plant a row of the trap crop nearby and parallel to your
harvest crop. As pests start to gather on the trap crop, give it a spray with an
organic pesticide - store bought or homemade. Just as important as an adequate
perimeter planting is choosing the right plants. For example, in regards to that
notorious cucumber beetle just mentioned, vegetable growers in Connecticut and
Massachusetts have effectively made use of the Blue Hubbard squash plant to keep
up to 90% fewer beetles from attacking more valuable nearby squash and pumpkin
plants. Remember, before using pesticides, investigate the many options that
exist to help you grow a thriving organic garden. |
