Autumn is a busy time in the garden but as we harvest, preserve and tidy up ahead of winter, it’s important to take time to stop pests in their tracks. Thankfully, Garden-NZ contributor, RACHEL VOGAN has a few tips for getting the best of pests.
Aphids and white fly - These sap-suckers suck the life out of plants, surviving on a diet of chlorophyll and sap. As soon as they appear, blast them off with a hose first, then spray flowers and shrubs – I recommend Tui Insect Control for Flowers. Follow up with a spray on affected flowers to deal to any eggs that may hatch a week later.
In the vegetable garden use Tui Insect Control for Veges. It has no withholding period so harvest can begin straight away.
Autumn is a busy time in the garden but as we harvest, preserve and tidy up ahead of winter, it’s important to take time to stop pests in their tracks. Thankfully, Garden-NZ contributor, RACHEL VOGAN has a few tips for getting the best of pests.
Aphids and white fly - These sap-suckers suck the life out of plants, surviving on a diet of chlorophyll and sap. As soon as they appear, blast them off with a hose first, then spray flowers and shrubs – I recommend Tui Insect Control for Flowers. Follow up with a spray on affected flowers to deal to any eggs that may hatch a week later.
In the vegetable garden use Tui Insect Control for Veges. It has no withholding period so harvest can begin straight away.
Slugs and snails - These slime balls are the nemeses of many a leafy crop such as lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower and spinach as well as hostas, renga renga, agapanthus and begonias. Hiding under foliage during the day and munching their way through leaves one at a time, they are a year-round problem.
I’ve found the most reliable and safest method of control is sprinkling around Tui Quash Slug & Snail Control every few weeks. These pellets are lethal to the slugs and snails but will not harm pets or people. Alternatively, try crushed egg shells and seaweed – if you can handle the mess and the smell!
Mites and scale - Because they’re so tiny and damage is hard to spot, these pests can evade annihilation for quite some time. If caught early, scrape away scale with a fingernail. If it takes hold, winter oil has always been my go-to control method. However, all-new Tui Insect Control for Flowers can knock the socks off mites and scale.
Black spot and mildew - These diseases are rife during autumn’s cooler, damper weather, which aids the spread of fungal spores. This can be prevented by clearing away plant material and diseased leaves when pruned. I suggest following this up with a spray of Tui Disease Control for Flowers, as an added precaution.
Weeds - To limit the spread of weeds, remove seed heads before they’re mature enough for seeds to be blown around the garden. Also spray with Tui’s ready-to-use Weed Control to stop common weeds, such as broadleaf and grasses, taking over paths, patios, gardens and driveways.
The new plant protection range from Tui features innovative Single Shot concentrates to provide precise application so they’re a safer choice when beneficial insects are nearby. However, ready-to-use spray bottles are also available.
Click here for more information about Tui’s range of pest control products.
What’s more...
Garden-NZ has a pack of Tui pest control products up for grabs.
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One entry per email address/person; entries close May 1, 2014.
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