Bugging Out
by Colin W.
Legacy Farms Apprentice
When gardening, you have to take good care of your plants because of how fragile they are. Deprivation of nutrients, weeds, and weather can all lead to crop damage or even death. One of these threats transcends all agriculture, and can effortlessly devour your harvest despite its miniscule size.
This threat is none other than the pests and creepy crawlies that may invade your garden. At some point, every farmer (including myself) will have to deal with pests in one way or another. So when that time comes, let me help you stop all the six-legged sillies.
This damage was done by pests left unchecked.
Bugs come in all shapes and sizes but the thing that remains common is their size; they’re small. Because of this you’ll have to pay more attention to the details of your plants.. One effective way to deal with bugs is through pesticides, however that can negatively affect the plants, the earth, and human beings as well.
Diatomaceous Earth is a food-grade deterrent, and is one way that Legacy Farms deals with pests without harming our crops. Diatomaceous Earth is made up of shells that have been ground into a fine powder that can slice and dice any critters who dare to step on it. The best part about it is that it's all natural, so we don’t have to worry about harming our crops or affecting the environment.
Even though pesticides are efficient at dispatching bugs, there is another method that you may not expect. Legacy Farms employs not only the use of all natural deterrents like Diatomaceous Earth, but at our Temple Hall location we are also aided by live animals, specifically guinea hens and peacocks.
Ducks can also be helpful. All are rather attractive farm animals for their ability to search and forage for bugs. For them it’s a meal and for us it’s pest control! Ducks are also less susceptible to diseases and can provide eggs without needing as much attention as chickens. All of these traits make ducks an incredible help on the farm, especially if you’re having trouble with bugs (plus they’re really cute).
Your garden could look this prosperous if you manage to protect it from bugs.