Dear Frank,
Your EarthBox plants share the great outdoors with all kinds of living things -- especially insects. Now, it's a fact that 98% of the insects in your garden are either beneficial or benign, so it's a good idea to learn which bugs are harmful and which aren't, so you can recognize the baddies when they appear.
Of course, you'll need to focus on the pests that are common in your particular area and climate, as well as those that are specific to your crops. There are insects that attack flowers, others that enjoy fruits or vegetables, and a few that are happy with both.
Insect pests fall into three broad categories: suckers, chewers and soil inhabitors. Good examples of suckers include aphids, leafhoppers, stink bugs, and thrips. Chewers are your standard caterpillars -- cabbage worms, diamondback moth larvae, corn earworms -- as well as grasshoppers, locusts, and carrot weevils. Common soil inhabitors (which feed on the roots and bases of plants) include corn rootworms, wireworms, pill bugs, white grubs, and cutworms.
For insect pest identification purposes, it's hard to beat Texas A&M University's Vegetable Integrated Pest Management site, which provides great photos for visual identification of both pests and beneficial bugs.
Alternataly, you can ask your local county extension agent or EarthBox retailer for more information on how to identify and manage the pests that are common in your zone.
Aside from standard pest control methods like insecticides, sticky traps, and encouraging beneficial predators like mantises, ladybugs, and toads, there are several simple things you can do to control unwanted insect populations. For example, keep areas around your plantings free of debris; remove any standing water; where possible, put nets or other pest prevention enclosures around your plants; and inspect your plants periodically for signs of invasion, so you can head 'em off at the pass.
Also, keep your plants stress-free, as this will increase their resistance to insect attacks. You can do this by keeping the water reservoirs of your EarthBoxes filled, and by strictly following the instructions when fertilizing.
Happy gardening,
Frank DiPaolo
EarthBox
Peter Piper's Peppers
Forum member Tag recently tickled our funny bones with this post:
"If my name was Peter and I was a piper I would have pretty near a peck of peppers to pickle. "I'm pleased to produce pictures to prove my proud prediction of a productive and plentiful harvest of pretty peppers. Previous pepper predictions pooped out primarily because powerful and plentiful precipitation pounded my poor peppers to pieces.
Please peruse the pictures of my plentiful pretty peppers. I'm posting pictures to prevent people from doubting my proud prediction of a productive and plentiful harvest of pretty peppers. Photographic proof, not phony photoshopped pictures produced on a PC. The produce section of Publix would purportedly be proud to be the purveyors of Peter Piper's prodigious pickled pepper products. Phenomenal! Now if I can keep the pests and pets away.
"These peppers placed into potato soup positively pop. A side of peas and Pepsi or punch is perfect. Add pecan pie and purr.
But do take a peek at the pictures of our forum-posting pal's prestigious peppers!
Flowerland, West Michigan
Every month, we highlight one of our valued partners, so you can learn more about them and their products. This month, we salute Flowerland, with three locations in West Michigan.
Flowerland was rooted in 1949, a time of growth and progress following the challenging years of The Great Depression and World War II. This full service nursery has bloomed over the past sixty years, and is still growing. Items offered by Flowerland include landscape and garden supplies, patio furniture, gifts, home d̩cor, water gardening products, wild bird care, trees, plants and flowers. The quality products that are offered are complemented by a dedicated staff of certified nurserymen, master gardeners and floral designers.
Customers are offered many specialized services, including free seasonal seminars and planting services, not to mention The Flowerland Show -- a weekly call-in radio show on WOOD 1300 AM, featuring personalities Phil Dirt, Doug Deep and a cracked pot (Kristi). You can also become a friend or fan of Flowerland on Facebook.
You can visit Flowerland online, or at any of their three West Michigan locations. For more information, call their corporate offices at 616-532-5934.
Mary's EarthBoxes
"The zucchini are growing rapidly. The tomatoes, pepper and eggplant are growing, but not so fast. My dog Isabella loves smelling the tomatoes, almost as much as me!"
Mary
Zone 7 North
Central Arkansas
Red Mulch Covers
Until June 15, we're offering 40% off or more on quantity orders of red covers. If you're wondering, "Why red?" here's the scoop: these covers are part of a new growing technology developed by a Clemson University scientist and tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
These "red mulch" covers work by reflecting light off their special red film, encouraging increased growth in some plants. For example, tomato plants grown through red mulch yield up to 20% more fruit. In many cases, the sugar content is also increased: strawberries and other fruit grown this way are incredibly sweet.
Discount prices range from $1.87 each for three or more covers to just $0.75 each for 20 or more. So order now, while the sale is on!
EarthBox is on Facebook! Now you can become a fan of EarthBox, joining a community of fellow EarthBox users for conversations, advice and photo sharing -- or just to check out whatever new information EarthBox has to enhance your gardening experience!
The patented EarthBox was developed by commercial farmers and proven in the lab and on the farm. Our maintenance-free, award-winning, high-tech growing system controls soil conditions, eliminates guesswork, and more than doubles the yield of a conventional garden -- with less fertilizer, less water, and virtually no effort. It's used successfully on a daily basis by commercial farmers, educators, and consumers. Distributors are also finding it to be a popular growing system.
EarthBox is a remarkably easy-to-set-up system that can be used to grow produce virtually anywhere.åÊOur systems have been incorporated into community gardens all over the world, enabling families and neighbors to share fresh produce while minimizing work and expenses.
EarthBoxesåÊalso make excellent additions toåÊthe classroom. Our Pre-K through 12th grade standards-based curriculum support packages can bring science to life, with hands-on lessons that teach principles of growing and nutrition, utilizing the scientific method in student-driven experiments.
Visit our Education Programs page to learn more.