Wednesday, October 7, 1998, 1998 |
Lawn & GardenConsumer Q's
Q. What is a simple basic compost recipe?
A. The basic recipe for efficient decomposition combines lots of carbonaceous
material (dry leaves, woodchips, twigs and straw) with fresh yard timmings, grass, vegetable and
fruit peels and coffee grounds. Mix then "cook." This happens through the energy generated
by the microorganisms, which heats a compost pile to 150 degrees at its core. If you add
about half brown to half green, your pile should start cooking. Good compost should be ready
in 60 to 90 days.
Q. Why do farmers use pesticides?
A. Farmers rely on pesticides to protect their crops from disease and damage, and to
ensure that high quality crops will be available year-round to consumers. Pesticides control
pests such as harmful insects, molds, fungi and weeds. Many molds and fungi can cause illness
in humans; as well as damage the food. Using these crop protection products can maintain
the quality of food as well as reduce the illness from food. Many farmers are using an
agricultural practice called "Integrated Pest Management" (ISM), a system that uses the latest
agricultural technologies to control pests and other crop damage.
Q. I would like to have a garden, but my space is limited. How large an area do I need?
A. If your garden space is limited, use fences or garage walls to support trellises
for melons, cucumbersm squash, beans, and tomatoes. To keep the fruits from weighing
down the vines, make cradles of netting or pantyhose slings, or make temporary shelves
beneath heavier fruits.
Q. I realize that bug sprays and the chemicals used to control insects in my
garden and yard are pesticide products. But are there other products I use that are
pesticides and I don't know it?
A. A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended for
preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest. Pests can be insects, mice and other
animals, unwanted plants, fungi, or bacteria and viruses. Some of the most commonly used
products which consumers incorrectly assume are not pesticides are kitchen, laundry and
bath disinfectants and sanitizers, some swinning pool chrmincals and products that kill mold
and mildew.
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