Green Gardening. Organic Gardening for the Novice. Tracey Payton Horticulture Extension Educator

Transcription

1 Green Gardening Organic Gardening for the Novice Tracey Payton Horticulture Extension Educator

2 Organic Boom Body awareness and what we re putting into it Less pesticide residue Green is growing Demand for naturally grown products Especially for young adults with children Better taste? Some research shows Higher vitamin C-oranges Higher antioxidant level-tomatoes Fresh food price escalation Growing own produce Decide to do it without synthetics

3 Organic Numbers 2007 U.S. Organic Sales Projected: $20+ Billion 20% increase in organic sales since % of total food sales in U.S. Numbers are rising annually

4 What is organic? Definition: responds to site specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity Comparable to sustainable agriculture

5 Organic Legislation 1990 Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) Created National Organic Program (NOP) and the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 1997 First Draft of National Standard Fully implemented October 2002

6 USDA Organic Certification Easier for larger, commercial operations Have to be without the use of restricted materials for 36 months (3 years) Strict guidelines Paperwork and record-keeping Things you should probably be doing anyway Can still go organic without certification Certification is to hold producers accountable Levels the playing field between producers

7 USDA Certification-Doc s to Keep Product labels Purchase receipts Lab analyses of products Required by certifier for certain inputs Soil or tissue tests when applying synthetic micronutrients Any additional verification of allowability Non-GMO declarations for non-organic seed Labels and statements for non-gmo seed treatments Receipts and labels if producing own transplants

8 USDA Certification-Documentation What is planted where Fields/beds Planting dates Attempts to find organic seed/stock Where products are used Crop/field Rates or amount applied Application dates Target pests, when pesticides are used

9 USDA Cert.-Prohibited Substances Ash from manure burning Arsenic Lead salts Sodium fluoaluminate Strychnine Tobacco Dust Potassium chloride (restricted use) Sodium nitrate (restricted use) Leather meal (heavy metal chromium) Conventional cottonseed meal (pesticides) Broiler chicken litter (if arsenic contaminated)

10 USDA Organic Certification A license to use the term organic for ag marketing You must be certified if you handle more than $5000 organic product annually

11 Organic Mantra Organic begins with the soil feed the soil, not the plant Healthier plants are better apt to combat insects and disease Lots of compost and mulch Cultural, biological, and mechanical practices IPM Hard Work

12 Organic Standards Oklahoma Grown Naturally Grown Locally Grown Organic Many terms Will see locally, such as farmer s market What is their definition of organic Ask them!

13 Organic at Home This is very doable Most don t use pesticides at home anyway Grow enough for you and the birds Your definition of organic What can you handle or not? The following slides are accepted practices of organic production Adopt what works best for you

14 Organic No-No s: Seed Sources No GMO s Genetically Modified Organisms Crops that have had genes inserted into them, to aid in defense against insects and disease Transgenic crops Bt Corn, Cotton. Round-up ready Soybeans, Cotton No genetic engineered products. Period. No growth regulars Organically sourced seed preferred Prefer untreated seed if available

15 Organic No-No s: Seed/Structure Must use organic transplants if not using seed Organic potting soil No treated wood No soil in contact with creosote Railroad ties Must use a liner In a conventional garden, usually not a problem after several years Keep root crops from contacting

16 Organic No-No s: Soil No conventional synthetic pesticides man-made chemicals Use as an absolute last resort May lose USDA certification Weigh gains/losses No biosolids or sewage sludge No Soluable Conventional Fertilizer , ,

17 Organic Do s: Soils Do make your own compost and amend soil See making a compost pile fact sheet You know what s in your compost No yard clippings if using regular fertilizer on lawn Improves soil structure! Add worm casings when available Mulch, mulch, mulch Limits soil temperature fluxuations Weed control Moisture retention Soil Test regularly Compost and manure usage can alter nutrient conditions

18 Organic Do s: Soil Do only use composted manures Heats to kill bacteria present No less than 120 days prior to harvest of product whose edible portion has soil contact Potatoes, onions, etc. No less than 90 days prior to harvest of crops whose edible product does not contact the soil Tomato, herbs, etc. Must be familiar with crop: days to harvest

19 Organic Do s: Soil Do select tillage practices that improve soil health Use cover crops or mulch whenever bare soil is present Living mulch Prevent erosion Maintain good soil aeration/structure/moisture Organic practices still apply to these Legumes can be used to add N back to soil or as green manure crop Examples: buckwheat, alfalfa, Austrian winter peas, plus others Incorporate 2-4 weeks prior to planting Don t allow to flower, set seed.

20 Organic Do s: Weed Control Cultivation/tillage Can aid in preventing and controlling weeds Crop rotation Solarization Heating the soil to undesirable temperatures Clear plastic Sanitation Clean up debris Stay on top of weeds

21 Organic Do s: Weed Control Get friendly with a hoe Weeds have to be controlled somehow No traditional herbicides Vinegar? Fire May cause some seed to germinate Can use Round-Up initially Start 3 year period from that point Mulch, mulch, mulch Shades/starves out weeds Compost weeds that haven t flowered or set seed More N for the pile

22 Organic Do s: Pest Control Crop rotation every year fool the insects & pathogens Cultural practices to avoid pests Alter planting date Earlier or later, depending on pest Know your target pest and lifecycle

23 Organic Do s: Pest Control Scout and monitor REGULARLY Pest problems can occur rapidly Know the lifecycle of your pest Correct identification Must be diligent with organic conditions Choose controls that won t harm beneficial insects

24 Organic Do s: Bt Do use Bt for leaf feeding caterpillars Specific to order/family Several strains Bacillus thuringiensis Soil Bacteria Non-toxic to non-targets var. kurstaki for caterpillars Dipel dust & Thuricide liquid var. israelensis for Mosquitos, Gnats ( Mosquito Dunks ) var. tenebreonis for Tenebrionid Beetles Colorado Potato Beetle

25 Organic Do s: Botanical Pest Control The following are botanical pest controls Derived from plants Degrade rapidly Act quickly Low toxicity to mammals and plants Increased cost Varying potency Typically broad spectrum kill beneficial insects

26 Organic Do s: Botanical Pest Control Neem Stomach poison Extract of neem tree Deterrent and insect growth regulator (IGR) Somewhat systemic in soil (absorbed by plant) May need to reapply as foliar spray

27 Organic Do s: Botanical Pest Control Ryania Powder of Ryania (S. American plant) Slow acting Stops feeding rapidly Most effective in hot weather More residual Moderately toxic to mammals orally Low dermal toxicity For caterpillars, chewing, and sucking insects

28 Organic Do s: Botanical Pest Control Rotenone Contact and stomach poison Root extract from derris plants (Asia) and cube roots (S. Amer.) Effective against leaf feeding caterpillars and beetles Inhibits respiration in nerve and muscle cells resulting in immediate lack of feeding Death in a few hours to days Very poisonous to fish Toxic to mammals if inhaled

29 Organic Do s: Botanical Pest Control Pyrethrum/Pyrethrins From exotic Chrysanthemums Contact poison Quick knock-down/paralysis Insects can sometimes recover from dosage Mixed with piperonyl butoxide to enhance insecticidal properties May not be allowed by some organic certifiers Effective against sucking and chewing insects and gnats

30 Organic Do s: Botanical Pest Control Sabadilla Seed extract of lily type plant Native to Central and S. Amer. Dust Effects nerve cell-paralysis then death Contact and somewhat of a stomach poison Least toxic of registered botanicals Can irritate skin and mucous membranes Sneeze inducing when inhaled Effective against true bugs (hemipterasquash, stink bugs) Toxic to honey bees Spray very early or late in the day

31 Organic Do s: Botanical Pest Control Nicotine Sulfate Stomach poison Tobacco extract Very toxic to insects and humans Especially in pure form Nerve toxin Fast acting Used as a fumigant and contact poison Controls soft bodied sucking insects Aphids, thrips, mites Restricted or removed from market Tobacco tea

32 Organic Do s: Botanical Pest Control Do use Lime Sulfur and Sulfur Mineral based Fungicide (lime sulfur) and miticide Chemical change makes fume toxic to insects Don t apply sulfur above 90 F Sulfur may be mixed with oils and copper Can cause burning of plant tissue Don t apply sulfur within 2-3 weeks of an oil spray

33 Organic Do s: Mechanical Pest Control The following are mechanical pest controls Using hands on techniques Form protective barrier against plants and insects Mechanically disrupt insect behavior or feeding Can be exclusion devices Or substances to disrupt growth/feeding of insects

34 Organic Do s: Mechanical Pest Control Handpicking Some large insects may be in fewer numbers Can also include removing eggs or other structures Inexpensive Labor intensive Must be done before too much damage visible Scouting (IPM) important with this approach

35 Organic Do s: Mechanical Pest Control Water pressure sprays A forceful stream of water to dislodge insects Aphids and spidermites Must be repeated Water on the foliage can increase disease Too much water: root diseases Most useful in the morning Have all day to dry out

36 Organic Do s: Mechanical Pest Control Traps/Attractants Trap to lower actual insect population Or monitor population density/varying species Appeal to need for food, shelter, and reproduction Sticky barrier traps Tree trunks or woody shrubs Crawling insects Sticky paper on stakes Attracts insects based on color (yellow) or use of sex pheromone Good in closed systems--greenhouse Shingle trap Attracts squash bugs Periodically remove and destroy bugs May also trap beneficial insects Some inexpensive, while others are pricey Must be cleaned/replaced occasionally Readily available

37 Organic Do s: Mechanical Pest Control Row Covers Physical barrier/exclusion Non-toxic No residue Materials to let air, water, and sunlight pass through Labor Too windy here? Prevent fruit pollination Remove at flowering or replace Not effective against soil insects Be careful against debris

38 Organic Do s: Mechanical Pest Control Vacuums Growing in popularity in commercial Disposable cartridge lined with a non-toxic sticky trap to catch insects sucked up Attached and powered by tractors Hand-held, battery powered available Can also shake plants to dislodge, then vacuum when airborne Good for indoors Vacuum can be placed directly on firm leaves, with caution

39 Organic Do s: Mechanical Pest Control Horticultural oils Petroleum base Active Ingredient (AI): Fatty acids Forms layers on plant parts Smother insects Mechanical barrier to prevent feeding Two types Growing season Dormant oils DO NOT use about 90 F Examples: Sunspray, Ortho Volck Oil Spray, Scalecide Oils don t control disease alone Can be mixed with sulfur (disease agent)

40 Organic Do s: Mechanical Pest Control Diatomaceous Earth (DE) AI: Fine ground skeletons of fossil diatoms One celled algae Dust formulation Sharp edges scrape insects exoskeleton Causing desiccation and death Also forms undesirable barrier to insects Ceases feeding or crossing areas with DE Less effective in humid weather May also kill beneficial insects Some not labeled for vegetables Non-toxic to birds and mammals Wear a dust mask when applying

41 Organic Do s: Mechanical Pest Control Insecticidal Soaps Insect and Mite control Active ingredient: fatty acid potassium salt Similar to hand soaps Control insects with minimal plant injury Consistent potency Always dilute with water Household products aren t labeled for use on plants Injury Poor insecticidal properties Can experiment Not recommended to use dry dish soaps or laundry detergents

42 Organic Do s: Mechanical Pest Control Insecticidal soaps, cont. Most effective on Aphids Young scales Whiteflies Psyllids Mealybugs spidermites Caterpillar, beetle, and sawfly larvae are generally unaffected Good for Boxelder bugs and Japanese beetles Most beneficial's are not effected Predatory mites are the exception Phytotoxicity Certain plants are sensitive Read label

43 Other Organic Methods Some of the following are not research based but may indeed work Milk, baking soda, water solution Powdery mildew and other fungi Compost teas, various teas brew and spray

44 Specific Organic Fertilizers See Nutrient Values of Organic Fertilizers Requires much more than traditional fertilizers Nitrogen Alfalfa pellets Manures Urea Corn Gluten Meal Blood Meal Worm Casings Compost Fish Emulsion

45 Specific Organic Fertilizers Phosphorus Rock Phosphate Bone Meal Collodial Phosphate Potassium Kelp Wood Ash (alkaline, be careful with rates) Granite meal Greensand

46 Organics For Micronutrient Deficiencies Recall, deficiencies aren t likely in our soil Commercial Pecans & Grapes Iron-Pin Oak, Loblolly Pine-Acid Loving Magnesium Epsom Salts Zinc Chelated zinc (be careful, can burn leaves) Boron Soulbor, Borax (use care, toxicity) Iron Chelated iron (burning of leaves) Calcium Bone meal, gypsum, lime

47 Organic Comments Harder to do with tree fruit, nuts, and livestock Vegetables, small fruit are ideal more manageable Easier to reach

48 General Disclaimer Always, always, always read the label on pesticides Even organic compounds can be harmful Varying degrees of toxicity Oral Dermal Inhalant Etc.

49 Useful References Earth Kind Gardening Series In Fact Sheet Notebook attra.org kerrcenter.com

50 Questions?