Sustainable, Organic Vegetable Gardening Presented by: Kent Phillips kent.a.phillips@gmail.com
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources 2
What is organic gardening? No synthetic pesticides or fertilizers Only Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) approved? https://www.omri.org/ U of MD recommendations for home gardeners are organic
What is sustainable gardening? Mimic the natural ecosystem Good bugs eat bad bugs Use local resources Reduce purchased inputs Employs knowledge, planning and skill Apply NPK according to soil test recommendations Apply IPM principles Make optimal use of water
MGs teach a common-sense, ecological approach Rely on local materials and resources Compost neighbors leaves and your grass Local animal manure HC compost or Leafgro Maximize biological and genetic diversity to strengthen your garden eco-system. Example: Plant an assortment of annual flowers and herbs to attract and feed beneficial insects. 5
Unbordered raised beds
Ingredients to a Successful, Organic Vegetable Garden Healthy soil Lots of organic material Shooting for % OM in soil test > 4% Normal ranges from 1% to 3% Proper soil ph 6.2-6.8 Proper nutrient levels Soil test Follow NPK recommendations Secondary and micro nutrients Sufficient soil moisture Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Importance Of These Ingredients Healthy highly enriched organic soil with proper moisture level creates healthy plants which resist insect attack IPM In nature, bad insects are predated by beneficials Use physical controls and erect barriers to pests Use targeted applications for specific pests Use broad spectrum organic insecticides only as a last resort
What is Healthy Soil Soil rich in organic matter with lots of invertebrates Has lots of pores for air and water Six inches of OM for new gardens One inch for established gardens % OM of soil s/b > 4%
Healthy Soil (cont.) Soil with proper ph and nutrient levels Do a soil test Follow recommendations University of MD. recommends.2# of N/100 sq. ft. 3-4-3.2/.03=7 lbs./100 sq. ft. Blood meal 12-0-0.2/.12=1.6 lbs./100 sq. ft. HC compost 1.41-0.6-1.36 rich in N 1 inch over 100 sq, ft. = 8 cu. ft. = 200 lbs. 200 X 0.0141= 2.82 lbs. N 15% available =.42 lbs.
Healthy soil (cont.) References at www.extension.umd.edu/hgic click on Soils or click on Information Library, Publications and Soil, Mulch and Composting HG11 Soil test basics HG110 Selecting and using a soil testing laboratory HG 42 Soil amendments and fertilizers FS782 Basics of soil and plant fertility http://www.youtube.com/umdhgic to see video on collecting a soil test sample
Soil Moisture On average plants require one inch of water a week On a 4 by 8 foot bed, that s 20 gallons of water Moisture needs to be delivered to the plant roots Most efficient method of delivery is drip irrigation http://www.youtube.com/umdhgic look or search for video on Drip Irrigation Can also use soaker hoses Mulching plants helps conserve soil moisture Organic (dried grass, newspaper, compost )
Intensive planting Assume a four foot wide bed In a 2 or 3 foot long area plant 5 broccoli plants in an x pattern Plant 4 lettuce plants between the broccoli plants B L B L B L B L B
Intensive planting (cont.) Plant three rows of green beans in 2 X 4 square 36 plants lots of beans Four rows of beets, carrots or onions 48 beets, 48 carrots, 24 onions Plant tomatoes three feet apart on the north or west side of the garden Plant peppers and eggplants in the same pattern as broccoli above Vegetable spacing on Pub HG 16 Plant Spacing very important Row spacing less important in raised beds
Succession Planting Use transplants when possible Cool weather crops (spring and fall) Broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, etc. Warm season crops (summer) Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, squash, etc. Rotate crops Plant beans after broccoli (adds N to soil) Inoculate with rhizobium bacteria Don t plant tomatoes, eggplant or potatoes where they have been before.
Cucurbit Tip Start 4 inch pot of cucurbits indoors 4/26 4 seeds per pot Cut off 2 weakest seedlings Transplant into garden on frost free date 5/17 Cover with row cover Start new pot of seeds when male flowers appear Remove row cover when female flowers appear Repeat
Start early, end late Garden from 4/1 to 12/15 See Pub. GE 007 or HG 16 for planting times Cool season crops (Mid March & April) Use low tunnels to extend season forward Warm season crops (mid-may & early June) Cool season crops (August & September) Use low tunnels to extend season Garlic (mid-october) Winter over spinach and kale for spring crop
Integrated Pest Management Simple steps and common sense Study Spy Squish An once of prevention is worth a pound of cure Companion planting A healthy garden with good soil, adequate moisture and proper nutrition can withstand some pest predation
Beneficial's v. Pests Attract predators and parasites by planting open faced flowers which attract predators that require nectar in their adult stage Ultimately, predators will increase as prey is available Purchasing predators tends not to be effective Build a toad house Use broad spectrum insecticides only as a last resort they kill beneficals
Common Predators Praying Mantid
Common Predators Lady Bird Beetle and Larva
Common Predators Yellow Argiope Jumping spider Orb Weaver Wolf Spider
Common Predators Wheel bug
Common Predators Syrphid fly and larva: predator of aphids
Common Predators Parasitized Tomato Hornworm
Common Vegetable Pests Mexican Bean Beetle Adult Eggs & larvae Row cover Crush Neem, spinosad, Pyrethrum spray top and bottom of leaves
Common Vegetable Pests Cucumber Beetle Stripped Spotted Floating row cover Neem oil, spinosad, Pyrethrum
Common Vegetable Pests Harlequin bug Adult Eggs & nymphs Row cover Crush Insecticidal soap alone or with pyrethrum or neem for nymphs Use cleome as a trap crop
Common Vegetable Pests Flea Beetle Adults Floating row cover over hoops Surround (kaolin clay) reapply after rain Neem oil, spinosad, Pyrethrum
Common Vegetable Pests Imported Cabbage Looper Adult Larvae Floating row cover Bacillus Thuringensis (BT), insecticidal soap Neem oil, spinosad, pyrethrum use with sticker spreader
Common Vegetable Pests Squash Bug Adult Eggs & nymphs No organic pesticide for adults available to homeowners Floating row cover Hand pick tear out section of leaf with eggs Kill nymphs with neem or hort oil or insecticidal soap
Common Vegetable Pests Squash Vine Bore Larvae Floating row cover Cut out borer and mound soil over wound
Common Vegetable Pests Stink Bugs BMSB Adult Brown Southern Green Stink Bug True hard shell bugs like squash and stink bugs are hard to kill No organic pesticide available for homeowners to kill adults Use row cover where possible or netting Hand pick and destroy adults and eggs Insecticidal soap and botanicals can be used on 1 st and 2 nd instars (nymphs)
Targeted Applications for Specific Pests With all pesticides Always read the label Follow label instructions Bacillus Thuringiensis Cabbage looper and other caterpillars Horticultural oils Insecticidal soap
Broad Spectrum Killers With all pesticides Always read the label & follow label instructions Pyrethrums excites nervous system causing paralysis & death Spinosad affects the nervous system causing muscles to flex Neem oil azadiractin Reduces feeding & acts as growth regulator http://npic.orst.edu/
Resources Grow-It-Eat-It website http://www.extension.umd.edu/growit Access to valuable and practical gardening tips and information. Share your experiences in our blog Click on vegetables, common vegetable problems and vegetable insect pests Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) http://www.extension.umd.edu/hgic Ask the Experts Send questions and photos 24/7 through this web site for a quick and thorough answer Maryland Master Gardener Program https://extension.umd.edu/mg
This program was brought to you by Maryland Master Gardener Program Howard County University of Maryland Extension