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Decatur, IL

I have a relatively small area to grow in, and my question is about nearby tomatoes. I want to plant a couple of tomatoes on the edge of my plot, and is there an organic or other way to control these pests without my tomatoes absorbing the chemicals that might render them unfit to eat? This is my first year at growing a giant pumpkin, and need some help on this. I would rather treat all of the pests and fertilize organically if possible.

5/5/2008 10:28:17 AM

Midwest

organic preventative fungicide: foliar spray 10% milk every 7-10 days, foliar spray potassium bicarbonate every 10-14 days, foliar spray compost tea every 10-14 days.

insecticides: Garlic barrier, neem oil, Cedar guard

and, nylon tulle or mosquito netting would be almost sure insect protection. www.fabricdirect.com has $26 bolts of tulle and/or netting fabric.

Bury the vines at each leaf node.

If you need any more info or help finding these let me know Grow a giant pumpkin BH2!
Greg

5/5/2008 1:24:30 PM

Since you asked about grubs,,loose wrap a 2" collar made of plastic or tar paper around the base of the stem,,,buried at least 1" this will protect against a few different grubs that eat near the soil line.

5/5/2008 8:44:58 PM

Decatur, IL

Many thanks for the help! I try to stay away from the chemicals as much as possible, as there are too many chemicals in the enviroment now.

5/5/2008 9:36:31 PM

Midwest

And since you live in IL, you might check out AgriEnergy Inc (www.agrienergy.net) for organic products.

5/5/2008 11:09:22 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Parasitic nematodes can control white grubs.
Milky spore controls Japanese Beatle grubs but can't touch chafers & some of the other common grubs.

5/5/2008 11:52:17 PM