Episode: #8 21/10/2006
Presenter: Fiona Bruyn

When it comes to using sprayers and fertilizers in the vegetable patch, Fiona prefers to use products that are environmentally friendly and organic. It is not only better for the family, but it is also much better for the birds and other animals that may visit the vegetable patch.

Fiona?s chicken does a pretty good job at spotting the nasty pests like aphids and caterpillars in her vegetable patch but can tend to make a bit of a mess scratching around, not to mention eating the vegetables. Usually Fiona will only put her chicken in the vegetable patch when the crop is ending and the soil needs to be turned over.

Not everybody has a chicken, however and the pests do need to be taken care of before the population gets too big. The safest insecticide to use is Yates Natrasoap Mite and Insect Spray.

Companion plants like parsley, shallots and chives that are planted around the garden bed are good value as they attract beneficial insects and they add a bit of beauty to a sometimes boring vegetable patch.

Another thing that a chicken can bring to the garden is a good fertiliser but otherwise you can resort to the packet stuff which is just as effective. Both Yates Blood and Bone and Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food are ideal choices but of you don?t want to end up smelling the same then make sure you wear gloves!

They break down slowly, releasing the nutrients to the plants and are both particularly good for leafy and root vegetables such as lettuce and potatoes because of the high nitrogen and phosphorous content. If you want to promote bigger flowers or fruit like tomatoes, then just add some potassium.

If you are not sure what a fertiliser contains then just flip the bag over as all the ingredients are listed and look for the one that is high in the mineral you are after.

Dynamic Lifter and Blood and Bone improve the soil structure and worms can smell it a mile away. Worms should be encouraged in your garden as they fertilize and aerate your soil where ever they go.

Featured Products

Yates Blood and Bone

• An organic fertiliser suitable for all gardens including Australian natives.
• Provides nitrogen for healthy leaf growth and phosphorus for strong root development.
• Organic nutrients are released slowly to the plant, improves soil structure, promotes beneficial soil micro-organisms and encourages earthworms.

Natrasoap Mite & Insect Spray

• For control of mites, aphids, thrips, mealy bug, whitefly.
• Can be used on vegetables, fruit trees, ornamentals, and pot plants.
• Low toxic soap based spay, suitable for organic growers.
• Soap coats the insect causing suffocation and desiccation.
• Minimal risk to beneficial insects.
• Easy to use.

Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food:

• This is a versatile feed for all garden, potted and Australian native plants.
• Slow release nutrients improving structure and retention of the soil.
• It also encourages earthworms and is beneficial to soil micro-organisms