Winter Wisdom

Brought to you in cooperation with the Kansas State University Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners.   Each week we feature interesting topics for winter reading.

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Week of 12/16/02

If you are looking for something else to worry about, if the Near East and the Bi-state Tax aren’t enough, you might add the affect of genetically modified crops on our health and happiness.

As gardeners, we have a vital share of responsibility for our environment and the affect of our own methods and habits of planting, fertilizing and pest control.  By now we should all know the importance of the concept of Integrated Pest Management, an approach to pest and disease control which combines cultural, biological, physical, and finally chemical control measures to prevent and control growing problems.

Cultural control includes use of resistant varieties, keeping plants healthy by proper selection and management, fertilizing, watering and mulching.  Other important cultural aspects are sanitation, selecting healthy plants that grow well in this area, removing diseased plants, and cleaning up dead plant material.  Proper timing of planting and crop rotation in vegetable gardens also improve plant health and reduce growing problems.

Biological control methods make up another element in an IPM program.  This includes use of beneficial insects like Lady Beetles, Mantids, as well as microbes and beneficial nematodes to attack pests.

Physical controls consist of the use of fences, row covers, tree bands, pulling weeds by hand, and the use of traps and lures.  Finally, the judicious use of chemicals, both manmade and those derived from natural sources, are often a necessary component of an IPM program.

There are several local sources available to assist you in an approach to gardening based on responsible use of resources. A good place to start is your County Extension Service. Another excellent source of advice is your local Water District, which can provide recommendations for protecting our water supply and using it economically.

Articles submitted by Bill Latimer, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Assistant and Dennis Patton, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Agent.

2001 - 2002 Winter Wisdom Archive
2000 - 2001 Winter Wisdom Archive

* Winter Wisdom is an information service of the Kansas State Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners.  Research-based responses are provided by Extension Master Gardener volunteers weekdays from March 1 through October 31, from 9:00 am to 4:30pm .  To telephone, call (913) 764-6306 or visit the Extension Office at 13480 South Arapaho Drive, Olathe, Kansas.  Visit their website at www.oznet.ksu.edu/Johnson 

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