Holistic Effort

Here is where I will note my progress and learning curve with gardening organically. My time at the computer is limited so I'm not likely to get romantic and wax poetically about my obsession with the colors of blossoms or how much time I spend simply staring at the plants and watching them grow.

I am currently faced with the destruction of caused by leafhoppers, caterpillars and stink bugs. My plan is to coat all the leaves plants with neem oil solution. At $20 a quart it's a bit pricey, but it does the job so well that it's worth it.

Nematodes - Steinernema feltiae - seem to have earwigs and fungus gnat larvae and other soil pests under control. Now to keep the above ground feeders off my vegetation. According to the is research, neem oil won't hurt the beneficial nematodes. 

http://openagricola.nal.usda.gov/Record/IND23298557

Effect of neem and selected fungicides on viability and...

This research showed that neem has no negative effect on beneficial nematode. They can be used safely together. Neem functioned as a soil soak so long as a detergent wasn't used with it. I think I will use it as a leaf spray and leave the nematodes to attach the soil. This combo was working very well until I ran out of Neem Oil.

Effect of neem and selected fungicides on viability and...:
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