to develop sound horticultural practices to aid in preventing, identifying and treating garden pest problems. Here are a few tips: • Keep a weed-free garden. Weeds supply food and cover for insects and also rob plants of nutrients and can decrease yield. Mow the grass around your garden to discourage pests. • Fertilize properly. Plants need the right nutrients to grow well and unhealthy plants are more susceptible to pest infestation. But sometimes an excess of nitrogen can promote too much lush green growth and attract insects such as aphids. • Water properly. Too much or too little water can weaken plants. Drought-stressed plants are more likely to attract spider mites. However, a garden that is too wet all the time, especially at night, makes a good home for insects and disease. • As you become a more proficient gardener, you’ll learn to identify plant pests. Read UF/ IFAS’s Insect Management in the Home Garden at edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh036 for info on identifying insects. If you’re unable to identify an insect, take it to your local Extension office.
MULCH IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN It’s simple and easy to mulch your
vegetable garden, which helps soil stay moist after watering and also helps keep weeds down. Mulch doesn’t have to be expensive. Most people have access to big oak trees and there’s lots of free mulch underneath them right now—leaves! Pine needles, hay, peat moss, straw, grass clippings, old dry manure, wood chips, sawdust or old stall shavings can also make good mulch. Even peanut hulls will work! If you use one of these, make sure to layer the mulch about 3 inches deep around your plants. (After they have sprouted, don’t mulch over your rows.) You can also use plastic mulch, if you’d like. Mulching will reduce your garden’s water needs by up to one-third, and organic mulches will help build your soil over time. Here’s hoping you try your hand at vegetable gardening. With planning, preparation, info and hard work, your family will soon be enjoying a successful harvest of delicious veggies!. Chris Decubellis is the Associate State Specialized 4-H Agent for Dairy and Animal Science. A native Floridian and a member of a west Pasco County pioneer family, Chris lives on a small cow-calf operation and family farm in Archer, Florida. F LO R I D A C O U NTRYM A G A Z I N E . C O M
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