Gardening Smart!

Smart Gardening Using Integrated Pest Management

Gardening Smart! Healthy, productive plants use their natural defense systems to resist environmental stresses How to use IPM for your home gardens – from ornamentals to vegetables and everything in between Open questions

Today’s Smart Gardener The sensible approach to pest control is to create a natural balance of organisms in your yard or garden. In a diverse ecosystem, pest populations are naturally regulated. Development of this balance at your home relies on using products that minimize harm to beneficial organisms.

Plant Health OLD: Commonly accepted to keep plants healthy was a broad application of chemicals to control pests – prescription pest control. NOW: Though pesticides play a role in plant health, they also have limitations. In addition to environmental and health concerns, pesticides may give only limited and temporary control if other control measures and practices are not integrated into the overall management or maintenance program.

Practical Procedure for Plant Health Planning and Site Placement Site Preparation and Establishment Selecting Appropriate Plants Proper Cultural Practices

Planning and Site Placement Sun Full Sun Part Shade Deep Shade Wind Direction, speed, occurrence Soil Sand, loam, clay pH Nutrient analysis Water Irrigated or not Hardscapes House, driveway, fences, etc. Maintenance Low, Medium, “Magazine”

Site Preparation & Establishment Correct drainage or erosion problems Raised beds Contour landscape Amending and preparing the soil Soil pH 6-7 Organic matter Altering light conditions Removing tree limbs Thinning trees

Selecting Appropriate Plants Grow the right plant in the right place! Know the requirements of a plant before you buy it Select disease resistant varieties or cultivars Select high quality plant material

Proper Cultural Practices Planting Techniques Prepare the hole B&B preparation Planting depth Water Management Maintenance Staking Moisture Management Establishment vs. Maintenance Fertility Management Fertilization Frequency Fertilization Timing

Plant Health Care Healthy, productive plants can use their natural defense systems to resist environmental stresses. As a result, they need less chemical input for survival and productive long-term growth. An especially important concept is the plant health care attempts to manage plant health rather than just control pest problems.

Integrated Pest Management: IPM Uses multiple tools Uses chemicals when necessary Requires knowledge and planning Protect garden and landscape from pests Maintain beneficial organisms Effective pest management with least negative impact to the environment

IPM

Other Beneficial Organisms IPM

Purple loosestrife is an exotic invasive species that out competes native habitats. IPM

Turf According to NASA's Ames Research Center: 50, 000 square miles of the continental US is covered by lawn There is 3 times as much irrigated grass as irrigated corn. Turf is the most widespread irrigated crop. IPM

What general group of plants rarely, if ever, need fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation or any other special care after initial establishment? NATIVE PLANTS !

Questions ?