2015 Insecticide Usage
Total number of applications: 2
Number of crops treated: 1 (kale)
Insecticides used: Pyrithrin (derived from Chrysanthemum flowers)
-We have always been and continue to be an herbicide free farm-
In 2015 we upheld our commitment to our customers and the environment by limiting our pesticide use to only pesticides that are OMRI listed (approved for use on certified organic farms).
The 2 applications we used in 2015 were on a single bed of spring kale that was plagued by flea-beetles and would likely have been a total loss without intervention. Little crop damage was observed on other plantings the rest of the year.
I know from first hand experience working on organic farms that many certified farms use dozens of applications of pesticides annually, so I am very pleased with our low usage. In the years to come I hope to abandon all pesticide usage. Here are a few of the techniques we used instead of applying pesticides:
2016 Outlook
As of this writing (May 24 2016) we are on track to match last year's low insecticide usage. This year's spring kale had almost no flea-beetle damage, possibly because I planted radishes at the same time which the beetles prefer. The flea-beetles eat the Radish greens but leave the roots unharmed, I did not apply any insecticide and customers don't seam to mind slightly damaged greens on their radishes.
I have applied Pyrithrin twice this year to control for asparagus beetles. I was disappointed to have to resort to this but it pushed me to look for new ways to control asparagus beetles and I am excited to be experimenting with nematodes. In mid-May I inoculated the asparagus beds with beneficial nematodes that will reduce the asparagus beetle population for up to 2 years. These tiny soil creatures kill the beetle larva when they pupate underground but do not harm worms or other beneficials. I am excited to see what results we get.
Total number of applications: 2
Number of crops treated: 1 (kale)
Insecticides used: Pyrithrin (derived from Chrysanthemum flowers)
-We have always been and continue to be an herbicide free farm-
In 2015 we upheld our commitment to our customers and the environment by limiting our pesticide use to only pesticides that are OMRI listed (approved for use on certified organic farms).
The 2 applications we used in 2015 were on a single bed of spring kale that was plagued by flea-beetles and would likely have been a total loss without intervention. Little crop damage was observed on other plantings the rest of the year.
I know from first hand experience working on organic farms that many certified farms use dozens of applications of pesticides annually, so I am very pleased with our low usage. In the years to come I hope to abandon all pesticide usage. Here are a few of the techniques we used instead of applying pesticides:
- Timing crops to avoid peak insect pressure
- Crop rotation
- Exclusion (covering vulnerable crops with floating row cover)
- Avoiding crops that are especially attractive to insects
- Hand picking
2016 Outlook
As of this writing (May 24 2016) we are on track to match last year's low insecticide usage. This year's spring kale had almost no flea-beetle damage, possibly because I planted radishes at the same time which the beetles prefer. The flea-beetles eat the Radish greens but leave the roots unharmed, I did not apply any insecticide and customers don't seam to mind slightly damaged greens on their radishes.
I have applied Pyrithrin twice this year to control for asparagus beetles. I was disappointed to have to resort to this but it pushed me to look for new ways to control asparagus beetles and I am excited to be experimenting with nematodes. In mid-May I inoculated the asparagus beds with beneficial nematodes that will reduce the asparagus beetle population for up to 2 years. These tiny soil creatures kill the beetle larva when they pupate underground but do not harm worms or other beneficials. I am excited to see what results we get.
