Loading ...Author: Jonathan Ya’akobi
There can be little doubt that that dealing with pests and disease in the garden is one of the most daunting tasks for the home, non-professional gardener. Actually, as I’ll reveal to you in a moment, it’s not that easy for me either, 23 years of professional experience notwithstanding. As in all aspects of life, one needs knowledge and experience, but above all, the attitude one holds towards a particular matter will determine the outcome, for good or for bad. The pest problem I’m going to share with you now, may not be absolutely specific to your garden in your particular area, but I’m sure you’ll be able to draw conclusions from it.
I live and garden in central Israel, which has a typical east Mediterranean, semi arid climate. At this time of year, (the end of August) moth caterpillars mainly belonging to the genera Prodenia or Spodoptera, are busy chewing at plant leaves, but the principle damage is to lawns, especially those which are either in a weak state, or have recently been planted and therefore have yet to develop a strong root system. The last two years have seen particularly bad infestations.
Interestingly, all the established lawns I maintain remain virtually unaffected, proving to me at least, that pest control is 95% about providing optimal growing conditions for the garden plants. However, turf lawns that I’ve laid in the last month, have all started to brown-off, and there’s no doubt that the culprits are moth caterpillars. I could have avoided this by the simple expedient of spreading a granular pesticide that protects the lawn for some two months. Enough time to see off the caterpillar season, and for the lawns to establish themselves. But I didn’t. Why?
The reason can be traced to my general reluctance to use pesticides. This for the most part, is definitely the right attitude to hold. For it is almost universally accepted today, that pest and disease control is inseparable from sound horticultural practice, and that the garden should be attracting to it as much wild life as possible, in order to create a natural biological balance, while reliance on pesticides destroys that balance. This is the correct policy in the general sense, but not necessarily in EVERY case. So try to avoid being dogmatic and inflexible, however much in the right you think you are!
About the author:
My name is Jonathan Ya’akobi. I’ve been gardening in a professional capacity since 1984. I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building gardens for private home owners. I also teach horticulture to students on training courses. I’d love to share my knowledge and experience with you. So you’re welcome to visit me on http://www.dryclimategardening.com/