We can divide the tools we use for fighting the enemies of our plants in two main groups:
1. The ones that offer some kind of mechanical protection
The most useful one in this category is the covered frame. To make one, use plastic or wooden boxes which are about eight inches high for this, and cover them with glass, some kind of cloth or mosquito net. Cloth and especially glass have the added benefit of retaining heat and protecting from the cold, thus making it possible to plant earlier than we normally safely could. They are widely used to get a head start with tomato, melons and other vegetables that grow on vines.
Simpler protection for recently planted vegetables from cut-worm and other insects are collars made from metal, stiff cardboard or tar paper. They should be several inches high and wide enough to fit around the stem. Stick them at least an inch or so into the soil, careful not to damage the roots.
If you have trouble with birds, the good old scarecrow is a classic. However, you can also hang shiny things from strings you spin through the garden. If they hit each other in the wind and make some kind of weird noise, all the better! This works especially well if you have stakes to support the vines.
2. The ones used to apply insecticides and fungicides.
If you are going to use poison in powder form, you should get yourself a powder gun. However, if you are looking for a one-do-it-all, get yourself a compressed-air sprayer with a simple manual pump action mechanism to build up the needed pressure. These are used to apply water mixed with the poison in the form of a mist thanks to the special nozzle. For most you can get additional extension rods so that you can spray the up to the top of vines or even high up in trees. Even with larger gardens these sprayers work well. However, if you find yourself refilling and pumping too often, you might want to consider upgrading to a wheeled barrel pump, running on battery power.
However, if at all possible, stay away from insecticides and pesticides. You will find plenty of methods, tips and tricks to get rids of pests without using any chemicals in the Beginners Manual to Organic Gardening (see the link in my signature below).
About this Author
Will Shakestear has been writing articles online and publishing eBooks fot several years. His main hobby is gardening, spending time with his son in the garden.
Click Here for a beginners manual and to learn how to grow your own healthy, organic food - saving money & eating chemical free!! Click HERE NOW for The Ultimate, 'Take-You-By-The-Hand' Manual For Creating & Managing Your Own Organic Food Garden - Even If You Know Nothing About Organic Gardening.
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