Organic Pest Control Part 1

We have a very important series going on at Mary's Heirloom Seeds.  We have received MANY emails asking about Organic Pest Control Options.  Not all of these options work for everyone.  Enjoy!

Mary's Heirloom Seeds Do you have pesky bugs in the garden that eat your veggies and plants before you get to enjoy them?   How about bugs in the house?   We have a Safe and Non-Toxic Solution! Using Diatomaceous Earth for Non-Toxic, Natural Pest Control Last year I offered a workshop for 10 Ways to Avoid Chemicals in Your Garden.  One of my absolute favorite options for non-toxic pest control is  Diatomaceous Earth(DE) *VERY IMPORTANT*  We ONLY recommend using *FOOD GRADE DE* There is a huge difference between food grade DE and the stuff used for pools   Diatomaceous Earth is a natural, organic garden pest control and household insect killer. Diatomaceous Earth kills by physical action, not chemical. It is safe for pets and people. The tiny diatoms scratch off the insect's waxy coating, and dehydrate it. DE kills spiders, roaches, silverfish, ants, fire ants, carpenter ants, bedbugs, lice, mites, earwigs, flies, fleas, box elder bugs, crabs(std), pubic and hair lice, scorpions, crickets and harmful insects. Diatomaceous Earth is used in the home, yard, animal housing, etc. Sprinkle a 2 inch wide border around the foundation of your house to stop insects from entering.  Diatomaceous Earth kills aphids, white flies, beetles, loopers, mites, snails, slugs, leaf hoppers, and harmful pests. Use Diatomaceous Earth inside your home, greenhouse or outdoors on fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains and grass. Apply Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth up to and including day of harvest.  Click Here to see Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth in our Store Tell those garden pests to EAT DIRT!   What is Diatomaceous Earth (DE)?  Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae.  How to Apply Diatomaceous Earth to your Veggie Garden: -Fill a shaker container with diatomaceous earth. Avoid creating dust by using a spoon to transfer the powder to the container. Although diatomaceous earth is non-toxic, you should not breathe the fine dust. Consider wearing a disposable face mask if you will be working with large quantities of the powder or if you have respiratory issues. -Shake the powder onto the vegetable plants. The best time to do this is in early morning or late evening, when the plants are wet with dew. The moisture helps the dust to adhere to the plant. Diatomaceous earth won't harm insects when it is wet, but it will be effective once it dries. Shake the powder on the vegetables as well as the leaves; the powder can be easily washed off the vegetables prior to consumption.  -Apply the powder to the garden bed and to the area surrounding the garden. This will keep many crawling insects from even reaching the vegetable plants. -Pour a thick ring of diatomaceous earth around the base of plants to deter snails, slugs and squash bugs. **It is not recommended to use on flowers or flowering plants.  Example, Once your tomato plants begin to flower, use only on the stem and soil surrounding the plant.  And there you have it! Non-Toxic and Natural Pest Control with   Diatomaceous Earth from   Mary's Heirloom Seeds ***Now Available with Applicator Bottle***   "If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don't. "  - Michael Pollan Mary's Heirloom Seeds Helpful Links:  JUNE SEED PLANTING GUIDE FOR THE US Make Your Own Organic Liquid Fertilizer

South Florida Edible Gardening Workshop

Mary's Heirloom Seeds presents...

 

Get Growing: Edible Garden Workshop

Several weeks ago we were invited to speak at the  Yellow Green Farmer's Market for an  

Edible Gardening Presentation.

 

In case you missed it...

We're offering MORE info at our office.

Join us for our first

Edible Gardening Workshop for 2014  

 

Thursday, March 13th at 6pm

2104 Tyler Street  in Hollywood, FL 

This workshop is FREE but space is limited
Please call or message us to RSVP!  

  

Find out what customers are saying about    

Growing their own Food 

 

 Are you enjoying our   2014 Planting Guide so far? 
If you have additional questions please feel free to ask!

If you don't live in the area...not to worry. 
We won't leave you out.  We have another special announcement coming your way this Friday!

Mary's Heirloom Seeds
2014 Tyler Street    Hollywood, FL 33020
(954) 654-3501 

 

Mary's Heirloom Seeds

All of the seeds listed are open-pollinated, non-gmo and non-hybrid,non-patented,  untreated, heirloom garden seeds.

 

Mary has signed the Safe Seed pledge.  

Seed Orders placed Monday-Thursday are shipped within 24 hours,
except for holidays.
Shipping on Heirloom Seeds is Free within the Continental US!

 

 

 

 

 

Diatomaceous Earth and the Many Benefits

Yes...This is the third Diatomaceous Earth post this year!
What can I say...I LOVE the stuff!

But before I get started I want to share a concern I had and was voiced by several customers.  If DE works on bag bugs, does it also "work" on bees?  Will it hurt the bees?
Here's my response...
From the book Going Green using Diatomaceous Earth:

"When Diatomaceous Earth is applied to crops or orchards, the honey bee tends to protect themselves by simply avoiding those blossoms already treated with DE. However, if DE does get on a bee's body, it is covered with slick hairs that are able to help prevent dehydration of body fluids.

Then the bee simply vibrates its wings to remove the dust and protect itself. However, should a bee get enough DE on it to cause death, he's the only insect that dies. Even if he makes it back to the hive, he does not contaminate the colony, as DE is not a chemical toxin."

 

Mary's Heirloom Seeds Let's talk about Diatomaceous Earth Don't Miss Out! Did you know we've added several NEW pages both at Mary's Heirloom Seeds and our blog Back to the Basics? It's true! In case you're just tuning in, we've been steadily adding to our 2014 Planting Guide. For your viewing pleasure we've made a special page with all of the growing info in one easy place. Check out Mary's 2014 Planting Guide EVENT: Edible Gardening Workshop Thursday, March 13th @6pm 2104 Tyler Street Helpful Links  Using Diatomaceous Earth in the Garden BEANS and CORN Heirloom Fruits Heirloom TOMATOES HERB Seeds Wildflower Seeds Seed Pack Combos SUPPLIES Growing Garden Huckleberry Growing Radish Growing Tomatoes Join Our Mailing List Mary's Heirloom Seeds 2104 Tyler Street Hollywood, FL 33020 (954) 654-3501 Find us at the Yellow Green Farmer's Market Booth #281 Saturday & Sunday 8am-4pm You might think we've gone "nuts" over Diatomaceous Earth.  There's been quite a buzz lately about this intriguing addition @ Mary's Heirloom Seeds. It's pronounced "DIE-A-TOE-MAY-SHUS" What is Diatomaceous earth Diatomaceous Earth ("DE") is a talc-like powder that is the fossilized remains of fresh water phytoplankton (Diatoms). When sprinkled on a bug that has an exoskeleton (such as ants or fleas) it compromises their waxy coating so that their innards turn into teeny tiny bug jerky. But it doesn't hurt our pets or humans. The DE available @ Mary's Heirloom Seeds is FOOD GRADE.  We can eat it. We do eat it! Diatomaceous Earth is a natural, organic garden pest control and household insect killer. Diatomaceous Earth kills by physical action, not chemical. It is safe for pets and people. The tiny diatoms scratch off the insect's waxy coating, and dehydrate it. DE kills spiders, roaches, silverfish, ants, fire ants, carpenter ants, bedbugs, lice, mites, earwigs, flies, fleas, box elder bugs, hair lice, scorpions, crickets and harmful insects. Diatomaceous Earth is used in the home, yard, animal housing, etc. Sprinkle a 2 inch wide border around the foundation of your house to stop insects from entering.  Click Here to see Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth Using Diatomaceous Earth in the Garden Diatomaceous Earth kills aphids, white flies, beetles, loopers, mites, snails, slugs, leaf hoppers, and harmful pests. Use Diatomaceous Earth inside your home, greenhouse or outdoors on fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains and grass. Apply Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth up to and including day of harvest. Did I mention I EAT it? Not with a spoon!  Diatomaceous Earth (DE) has been reported to absorb methyl mercury, E. coli, endotoxins, viruses (including poliovirus), organophosphate pesticide residues, and drug residues. DE is a natural organic colon cleanser and detoxifier. This cleansing and detoxification alone has a myriad of positive effects in the human body. I take 1 tablespoon in a glass of 8 ounces of water each morning on an empty stomach.  This is in no way medical advice or treatment recommendation.  If you have questions or concerns you should consult your healthcare professional.

All of the seeds listed are open-pollinated, non-gmo and non-hybrid, non-patented,  untreated, heirloom garden seeds. Mary has signed the Safe Seed pledge.   Seed Orders placed Monday-Thursday are shipped within 24 hours, except for holidays. Shipping on Heirloom Seeds is Free within the Continental US!

 

 

 

 

DIY Organic Pest Control recipes

Good Morning!!!  I had an absolutely amazing weekend at the Yellow Green Farmer's Market.  I had an opportunity to present Edible Gardening information as well and GMO VS. Heirloom Seeds info both Saturday and Sunday.  I'm working on a post that will share all of the info (and include pics).

Below are some of the DIY Organic Pesticide recipes that I shared over the weekend.

#1 Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth!  No preparations necessary!  
DE kills aphids, white flies, beetles, loopers, mites, snails, slugs, leaf hoppers, and harmful pests. Use DE inside your home, greenhouse or outdoors on fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains and grass. Apply *Food Grade* Diatomaceous Earth up to and including day of harvest.
Do Not use the stuff for Pools.  That is TOXIC!
Check out Using Diatomaceous Earth for Non-Toxic, Natural Pest control 

#2 All-Purpose Insect Spray from Organic Gardening

• Chop, grind, or liquefy one garlic bulb and one small onion.
• Add 1 teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper and mix with 1 quart of water.
• Steep 1 hour, strain through cheesecloth, then add 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap (I use Organic Dr. Bronner's) to the strained liquid; mix well.
• Spray your plants thoroughly, including leaf undersides.
• Store the mixture for up to 1 week in a labeled, covered container in the refrigerator. 

Dr. Bronner's Unscented Baby-mild Pure Castile Soap (1 X 32 Fl Oz)

#3   Spray to Control Nematodes from Love to Know Organic
Nematodes are tiny parasitic worms that live in your soil. If you've ever grown tomatoes and found that the leaves were beginning to yellow and fall off the plant, then you have a nematode problem. While some nematodes are actually good for your garden, most are not. This mixture can also be used to spray on your plants to control grasshoppers and caterpillars.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons of molasses
• 4 cups of water

Instructions

1. Mix the molasses and water in a spray bottle and shake vigorously. Use warm water to help the molasses dissolve better.
2. Spray the "Molasses Tea" on your soil around your plants every couple of days to keep the nematodes away.

I plant Marigolds all over the garden for organic pest control

 
#4 Companion Planting from Back to the Basics
Companion planting is based around the idea that certain plants can benefit others when planted next to, or close to one another.  Companion planting exists to benefit certain plants by giving them pest control, naturally without the need to use chemicals, and in some cases they can give a higher crop yield .

Generally, companion planting is thought of as a small-scale gardening practice, but it can be applied on larger-scale operations. It has been proven that by having a beneficial crop in a nearby field that attracts certain insects away from a neighbouring field that has the main crop can prove very beneficial. This action is called trap cropping.

Other ways that companion planting can be beneficial is to plant a crop like any Legumes, on an area where it will feed nitrogen into the soil, then it will not be necessary to use any chemical fertilizers for the next crop.

Sharing Here and Wildcrafting Wednesday

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Do You Eat Dirt? (And why you should)

This is the filthiest post you'll ever read here.  It's about Dirt!  Seriously!

I have posted twice here about *Food Garde* Diatomaceous Earth (DE).  

My husband calls it Dirt...It's actually fossilized fresh-water algae.

Ever heard of Spirulina?  That's salt-water algae (not fossilized).

In case you missed it, check out
 Food Grade DE and Using DE for Natural and Organic Pest Control.

We know you should use DE in your garden.  But did you know that it is safe for human consumption?  Did you know that some people swear by the health benefits of taking DE every day?  My husband drinks 1 tablespoon in a small glass of water every morning.  I only recently started so I'll wait to share any benefits.  We have a patient that shares here success with EVERYONE!

Below is a recent e-newsletter we sent out to our patients.
Please leave a comment if you have questions!

Newsletter Do You Need Diatoms? February 2014 In This Issue Is It Healthy? Article Headline Article Headline Is it Healthy? Diatomaceous Earth (DE) has been reported to absorb methyl mercury, E. coli, endotoxins, viruses (including poliovirus), organophosphate pesticide residues, and drug residues. DE is a natural organic colon cleanser and detoxifier. This cleansing and detoxification alone has a myriad of positive effects in the human body. Quick Links Our Website Diatomaceous Earth Mary's Kitchen :: We are absolutely loving our new office.  Have you seen it?  In June 2013 we moved 3 doors down.  Our new place is spacious and serene.  If you haven't been in, now is a great time to check it out! Diatomaceous Earth Diatomaceous Earth ("DE") is an off white talc-like powder that is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton (Diatoms). When sprinkled on a bug that has an exoskeleton (such as bed bugs, ants or fleas) it compromises their waxy coating so that their innards turn into teeny tiny bug jerky. But it doesn't hurt mammals. We can eat it. We do eat it! It's in lots of grain based foods because lots of grains are stored with diatomaceous earth to keep the bugs from eating the grain! What are Diatoms? Diatoms are known to be eukaryotic algae. One of the most common types of algae is considered to be phytoplankton. Diatoms can take on the shape of filaments or ribbons. Reported Benefits of Using DE? Other Reported Health Benefits of DE Include Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Osteoperosis, Weight Loss, Cosmetics, Hair, Nails, Teeth & Gums, Energy, Bacteria, Mucus, Anti-Aging, Urinary Infections, Headache.

Natural Detox and Wellness In an effort to provide safe and affordable ways to assist our patients in natural detoxification and healthy living, we are now carrying Food Grade DE AND Greens! If you are interested in easy and simple detoxification, weight loss, Health and Wellness we are happy to help.