Pests and predators are an inevitable part of the cycle of life and also the natural world. A key aim of organic growers is to try to create a healthy predator-prey balance to leave pest control in the hands of nature. Your style of gardening will determine how successful or not this is.
The old adage that prevention is better than cure has never been more apt. Good garden husbandry and soil management is key to giving your plant the best chance to defend themselves from attack. Happy, healthy plants have a better immune system, rather like humans! Growing plants a little "harder" (not with an excess amount of nitrogen, which encourages fast, soft, sappy growth), makes them a little more resilient to potential attack. The softer the plant stems and foliage, the easier it is for aphids to gain a foothold.
A key maxim of natural pest control is to provide sufficient nutrients and water retention properties for plants via copious amounts of organic matter in the soil. This organic matter provides balanced fertility and nutrients thanks to the humus in your soil. In effect this ensures your plants are as naturally resilient as possible. Our battle to control pests naturally begins with our soil.
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How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
Aspiring smallholders are continually thwarted by the prices of smallholdings and property with land located within the UK. Even the humblest croft in Scotland comes with a substantial price tag and conditions which would make even an adventurous wannabee consider carefully. But all is not lost. For those willing to take the adventure of a lifetime, there is always Europe, and one of the most popular places is France.
Meet the Bournemouth goats and their supporters
These capricious animals are hard workers preserving the natural habitat
Still warm enough to sit outside with a Pizza
Henrietta Balcon uses fresh figs to create an unusual dish at Harvest time
Goodbye to the birds of spring and summer
If you look and listen you might be able to see them preparing to leave says The RSPB
Get ready for the colder weather in the warmth of late summer
Claire Waring advises on doing the best to make sure your colonies survive until next spring
Preparing the Veg Patch for Winter
Lee Senior says, a well-run plot can excitingly continue to produce good quality, tasty, fresh food for much of winter
Time to prepare to plant your orchard
Wade Muggleton, smallholder and author of The Orchard Book, shares his practical experience so you can create your own fruit collection
Choosing feed for the autumn
As autumn approaches, Joanna Palmer, nutritionist at the Smallholder Range, offers advice on choosing the right feed to support your adult birds through their annual moult and ensure your young birds grow and finish well at this time of the year.
Vet advice from an experienced poultry vet
Reflecting on how much the humble hen has helped people world wide plus advice on stopping the scourge of red mite
Give your hens some support
Paul Donovan looks at the right and wrong ways of handling birds
