"Stop using Neem" to control Aphids. The aphid is a messenger!

In this video, Patti is demonstrating and talks about aphids in an organic regenerative greenhouse. How to deal with the aphids without using Neem Oil or other organic products. The aphids and whiteflies are just messengers that the plant is not healthy enough. Watch to learn more about managing plants to grow nutrient-dense food. Using regenerative and organic practices in a greenhouse to improve the plant's abilities to do photosynthesis so the plant is not attracting pests such as aphids and whiteflies.
I do not endorse products but this is what I have been using.
Improve plant health- Advancing Eco Agriculture Products
Biocoat Gold- biologic seed treatment
Planters Solution (about the same product as the liquid feed from the Bionutrient Food Association)
Bionutrient Food Association
Garden Kit
A great video series to learn about the pest-plant relationship is from Living Web Farm.
Here is a link to their Farmscaping Videos.
• Farmscaping with Dr. M...

[@bigoljoe1829]

Most folks aphid infestation issues can be boiled down to one issue. Exclusion/extermination of predators. I stopped having aphid issues in my garden when I stopped spraying wasp nests around my home. I still knock them off my actual house, im not insane, but I make areas around the property where they are more liable to nest safely and happily. My kids know to leave their area alone, and the wasps are perfectly polite neighbors in the garden. They've never stung me or either of my boys despite landing on us and having a ride around the patch now and again. We dont have to stop moving or be overly precious around them. They fully know and trust us just like a beekeeper and their bees. So long as we aren't messing with their nest they're perfectly happy to share the space.

[@kdccmb]

I was highly allergic to wasps. Stings resulted in massive swelling to the point of inability to walk from a sting above my ankle. Now I use urine therapy for them. Rub some on the sting & a few drops under my tongue. Absolutely no more pain or swelling. Pretty amazing. I no longer fear them.

[@Ash-mj7yz]

Hey there, I'm a researcher and farmer from India. I usually here these kinds of conversations. Aphids are heavy reproducers, so just relying on lace wings or lady beatles is over optimistic as they are easily outnumbered. I suggest some proactive approach to this, although it's nothing new but still makes sense. First understand at what temperature they thrive, it's 20-30 degrees or mostly when it's cloudy. So keep look on weather forecasts and be proactive if you see prolonged weather patterns conducive to aphids. Next take preventive measures. Here choose what suits you. I prefer nutrition management. Just pouring everything in soil is not the way. Insects suck the parts which are fresh and easy to chew. So idea is to bar excess nitrogen or smoothness in leaves by increasing K and P. I also give zinc and silicon to aid it and make cell wall strong. Sprays are good if done proactively, otherwise you can't keep up with their growth rate. OK, all the best. Happy farming! Understand science and use it to your advantage, don't shy away from using right thing at right time.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

If you like research check this out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYevmKdolK9kjc0 EFFICIENT Intercropping for Biological CONTROL of APHIDS in Transplanted Organic Lettuce Dr Eric Brennan USDA-ARS work. I add silicon to my compost when I make it. Zinic is in the micronutrients I am using. Thanks.

[@crazyjay6331]

Really great advice, adding silica to my shopping list, I don't use much pest management but somehow I'm usually okay until the end of the year, maybe part of that is to do with the chitin contained in the beatle poop I top dress with.

[@crazyjay6331]

Silicon*

[@Lochness19]

I had a bad aphid infestation when I brought my pepper plants indoors for the winter and when I brought them outside in the spring, lady beetles flocked to them and all the lady beetles devoured the aphids within a couple weeks. I did spray down the plants with water before bringing them outside but that didn't get rid of all the aphids and the population started to rebound before the lady beetle larvae hatched. Soils here have a lot of minerals, so only nitrogen is needed from time to time.

[@victordashmohapatra3546]

i am an organic farmer from India as well, every year we go to forests and collect soil with beneficial bacteria and let them colonize old compost.

[@ketansahasrabudhe9]

Your observation might be correct but my observation is that ants actually establish aphid colonies on seemingly healthy plants. The ants are interested in the sweet, sticky excreta from the aphids. So another way of controlling aphids is to eliminate the ants. You could check for the presence of ants on the plants where aphids are present.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Hello, yeah I agree the ants do control some of the aphids and they are herding them to particular plants. I understand what the aphids can and cannot eat. It is a complex subject, and I want to make it as easy as I can for the average grower. I have been learning from Dr. Thomas Dykstra. Here is a link to one of his presentations kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ-xgKl3aMmcerc. I used to agree with you before I started a deep dive into self-education. Best of luck and keep observing!

[@rover790]

I have this exact problem too. The ants in my garden move the aphids onto the roots of certain plants, including newly purchased healthy plants. Fir me to get rid of the ants I would need to poison my whole yard.

[@dustinocallaghan7570]

Came here to say this. My Pepper plants are very healthy and the ants love to farm aphids on them. I’m also growing in a green house, just doing regular ipm on the, works best. Using neem is good for your plays also, in combination with other foliar spays and your plants can withstand aphids

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

One thing to think about when you bring in purchased plants; if they were not grown organically you are bringing in plants that have had N fertilizers every day in their water at most all greenhouses, and they will attract aphids and white flies. Best of luck growing!@@rover790

[@TaLeng2023]

​@@rover790I wish there's a list of which codyceps specie target which ant and that the spores are available to buy.

[@PeggyLeeSebeni]

Thanks Patti for the repetition and reminders. I finally got it. I specifically enjoyed the "teaching kids" comment. I'm in my 70th year of gardening and haven't been called a kid in many decades. I remember pulling weeds and, a couple wings off of a lacewing, at my grandpa's feet in the garden. I remember him explain how beneficial lacewings are for the plants. "If ever I let my plants get weak," he'd say, "the lacewings and lady bugs are the plants defenders from the aphid army. Leave the dandelions alone, the bees and lacewings love them, and so do I in my tea." I sure do miss that old fella. He sure taught me a lot. More than I can remember these days.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Yes, a lot of wisdom is gathered by the elders. I miss my grandmother, she had me helping her harvest the dandelions in the spring. I am glad they shared their knowledge with us.

[@Peaceful-resistance1]

Crab & Lobster shell and a balanced soil mix cured my aphid problems. Didn't see one all season after being infested the year before!

[@micchin2012]

I finally found the channel that i can resonate with! I totally agree with you. Last year, after i tried spraying multiple times for weeks, my bell pepper plants were still heavily infested by aphids. Neem oil, soapy water, aphid spray, all did not help to improve the situation. I gave up and concluded with the theory that if the plant is healthy, it will survive pest attack/ attract lesser pests. I just prune it and let it grow. Unfortunately they could not produce new branch and finally died. I accepted the fact and just replan from seeds. No problem. I no longer get too upset with sick plants. If they can survive, they will. If not, I'll let it fight against the sickness. You are right, think and spend more energy on improving the health of the plants rather than killing the signals. Thank you so much. 🎉

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Great job, I have relised the biggest change is in peoples minds. Peppers seem to teh hardest to get super healthy. But when you can get them super healthy, they will have giant leaves all up and down the plant. I am keeping seeds from only the healthest of plants to move forward with genetics for my local area. Best of luck, keep growing!

[@micchin2012]

@@regenerativegardeningwithpatti thank you so much ❤️

[@Chickmamapalletfarm]

I love this advice! I grow in the open and in greenhouses. I love the results of minor nutrients! I didn’t know the science behind the aphid thing, but instinctively knew that when they show up the plant needed a boost. When I see aphids I also just note that I will be welcoming in some helpful predatory bug soon. Usually about 4-7 days later I start seeing lots of wasps, lady bugs, ants, whitefly’s and more. I love them all. That all have their place, and I am so pleased to support any part of the ecosystem. ❤️❤️❤️

[@roberte8273]

Thank you for the "I got it moment" imparting of your wisdom.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tomfromoz8527]

You just earned a new subscriber! I have been saying the *same* things about plants since the '70's and you are the first person that has actually taught me something new. The tiny flowers! Thank you beautiful lady. _Tom's wife Pam_

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

NIce, you are welcome.

[@robinalexander5772]

I live in a caravan Park, so I grow in pots. I don't like chemical products to kill pests, trying to be organic as much as I can. I do use copper sulphate and Seasol as required. As a gardener I look at all my plants daily and if acids come I go leaf by leaf and using my fingers kill them. Two to three weeks of this problem goes away and plant gets better. I think this lady has some good thoughts and next year and ones after will look and try stuff. Cheers from Tasmania

[@MsPeacelove01]

I had plenty of aphids last summer in the first year of my new organic garden. So I planted carrots, celery, parsnip, parsley and this spring they all flowered. I now have an abundance of lady bugs and zero aphids.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Good job. I have noticed that first year gardens and where people have applied to much nitrigen you will have aphids. The plants you let go to flower were great plants for helping the beneficials! Thanks for sharing.

[@johnjude2685]

I've never had an aphid problem until tomatoes near the end of our early season drought, and then excess rains the next 4 weeks, killing my tomatoes in my main garden. Honestly, I thought it was showing I have a drainage problem and in an area further from my water system where it was tomatoes following sunflowers that did great until frost. I've improved the drainage for the main tomato patch and hopefully have a great gardening experience this coming year. I'm organic and tried no tilt that seem good for the first 2 season and believe my clay base soil doesn't need no tilt but still limited turning over the soil. 100 percent agreement 🤝 with this message of this great video Thanks Lady Gardener

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you. Yes, sunflowers have a very long and strong tap root and they should really help with the drainage issues and set the stage for other plants to have a good growing season following them.

[@PisceanKiwi]

Love your message! Mother Nature is always communicating :) What a lovely, vibrant soul! I just ran out and spent an hour giving all my gardens a seaweed tonic ☮

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Goo deal. I bet your microbes are doing a happy dance!

[@sarahstraw3075]

From Albany NY, I love your videos. I’m a want - to - be urban lettuce grower on a very small scale. Your videos support my goal of producing the most nutritious greens I can while using climate friendly practices. I used low tunnels to over winter crops for the first time this year. Unfortunately due to the crazy mild winter ( climate change ) I harvested greens twice this January. Plants have actually grown even in the dark time of winter. They have grown very slowly but they did grow. Keep up your great work. Your explanation are so common sense.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Best of luck, I am jealous of you. It is really hard to grow in the winter in Montana. Good job!

[@davidabberton9]

Patti thank you from Dooralong, about 1.5 hours drive north west of Sydney Australia. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. We have such a ‘kill pests’ society, but if we slow down and observe better and appreciate nature we can see that our role is to encourage desired growth. Aphids almost killed one of my lemon trees last year, and sprays didn’t seem to work. Now I’m managing the tree and its environment better there are no aphids and good growth… lesson learned !

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Excellent We humans have a lot to learn about nature. I am learning some new every day, keep up the good work!

[@byjubhaskar6743]

Madam your are right.I am doing small cultivation of kitchen vegetables like green chilli and I noticed that when the plants are weak due to lack of nutrients or wheather condition they are more susceptible to aphids.In this circumstances I am using diluted fish amino acid foliar spray. In India we have a wide range in climatic condition so for this I am selecting right time to grow right plants❤

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Have you watched John Kemfp's video about the Plant Health Pyrmind? @@byjubhaskar6743

[@abrahamu5544]

This was all together great insight. Thank you. You have a wonderful weekend.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

You too. I like winter it is a good time to rest, review, make plans, and set goals!

[@Richard-ug4el]

Just leaving a comment to say thanks. I've been tearing my hair out fighting aphids off my kales. They just seem to be randomly infested, and like most people I run for the neem oil. This has given me a while new perspective. So thanks.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Check out my Healthy Plant or Not video, and you can learn some plant indicators for when your plants are getting a really good immune system. Best of luck

[@ninac-pd4sb]

17 year old trying to learn regenerative farming, just subscribed😅

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you for subscribing, ask questions to learn as much as possible. Good luck

[@katrinarandolph84]

Its never early to learn and start. ❤

[@zoponex3224]

Good on ya!! Wish I'd started so young. best of luck to ya.

[@rochrich1223]

Flowering can be one of those stressors Patti was talking about. Goldenrod is known for getting a particular maroon colored aphid on it when it flowers. The plant trying to put as much energy and minerals into the seeds can throw off its own mineral balance.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Yes, different stages of the plant's life, cause changes in the plant's health, thus attracting aphids or pests. Sunflowers during late seed production. always attract aphids, like a magnet.

[@hollylc9914]

I have multiple gardens surrounding my home. By leaving a goldenrod in each section, the aphids will go to them while leaving all the other plants alone.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

That is excellent Holly. I trap crop and drawing in pollinators all in one. Best of luck in 2024 growing year.@@hollylc9914

[@thailandfruitmonster7315]

Now apply the same to human health! Great video.

[@rachaelanne24]

I learned so very much!! Thanks for teaching us your knowledge!! I’ll definitely watch more of your videos!!

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thanks so much. I am glad I helped you.

[@alvinstone4790]

Thank you so much for this pertinent information, Not a broken record, A great teacher!!!!

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you for the kind comments! Best of luck to you.

[@Faust-Federel]

Thanks Patti you for that great video !

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thanks for watching!

[@Mgardener7849]

Thank you for doing this vid. Just what's needed.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you for your coment, best of luck.

[@BethLarsenSedona]

Thank you for your different perspective. It came along at just the right moment for me 😊

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

You are welcome.

[@kartiniimukardie9743]

thankyou so much grandma ❤❤❤

[@microsnook3]

Excellent video Patti. Microbes and Micronutrients. Got it! Cheers

[@Mgardener7849]

This is so true.ive been thinking the same thing about most plant pest.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you for your coment, best of luck.

[@annchong9701]

I had a lot of aphids in my garden last year & I noticed that they all stayed on my milkweeds & they didn’t attack any of my peppers. So this year I just left some milkweeds growing & noticed no aphids on my petunias or pepper plants! Nice video!

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Great observations. I love diversity and the aphids need some place to be. They provide a lot of food for other insects, and a life cycle for others.

[@paulbraga4460]

wonderful...reminds me of another video (you should take a video of your plants and your milkweeds), showing plants intertwined with one another - tomato and some weed, and the weed was full of aphids and none on the tomatoes...blessings

[@LionShip-gg1pr]

Orange aphid on milkweed are a species adapted to milkweed "milk" tolerance. They may never go to other plants brother/sister

[@paulbraga4460]

@@LionShip-gg1pr ow...well now, that is something else. never go to other plants? really? mygreathanks and blessings

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Yes, I have seen 100-1000 aphids on one variety of plants and not on the others that are touching the infested plants. A good video series is from Living Web Farm Farm Scaping. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aH7TgHt8mJ2omtU @@paulbraga4460

[@jumpyjenny2532]

Thank you Patti. This is the other half of what I needed. I had massive aphid infestation in my watermelons this year and lady bugs showed up. I finally got the confidence to wait for them to multiply and wow did they ever. I did not however, think about the plants were possibly missing nutrients. I can't wait to try this out.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Great Job. I will be excited to hear how it goes for you in the next growing season. The plants also can be calling in the aphids. I think that part happens after the plant has given up on life. and has stopped doing photosynthesis. But I am not sure. There is always more to learn....it is best for me if I embrace the learning process! Best of luck.

[@jumpyjenny2532]

@@regenerativegardeningwithpatti Definitely always learning something new. 😊

[@sharongrashen1196]

Thanks for sharing!💜🙏🏼

[@moonchildgarcia8999]

I just saw your video and wished I had come acrossed it sooner! Better late than never 😊 This has been one of the MOST HELPFUL videos I've watched in a long time. I'm all about gardening, permaculture and regenerative gardening. Thank You for all the information you provide!!! 💚💚💚

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you very much, you are very kind. I hope you have great luck gardening.

[@eedeescottagegarden]

Love the information, make so much sense. Thank you so much.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

You are welcome, and best of luck to you.

[@thomaswhelan2483]

First time watching you/ Well worth the time! thank you, Patti!

[@user-gb9ot5md5q]

I"ve learned a lot! Thank you!

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

I am glad you got something from the video. Let me know if you have any ideas on other subjects you would like to learn about.

[@user-sf5xp5xz7v]

A very insightful perspective. Thank you.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

You are welcome!

[@jenp2285]

I have always had a massive aphid issue among many other bugs that devour my plants. To my delight, last spring was the first time i ever saw a mantid egg sack in my yard! Once it hatched i would strategically care & move those adorable little babies to the plants that needed them the most. Another first for me was seeing ladybugs laying eggs all over my cherry tree. Tons! I did the same and moved some of the larvae around to my roses, etc... It was an all out war in my garden last summer and it was kinda fun to watch. 🤭 I cant wait to see what next spring brings!

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

If you can apply the micronutrients to your plants, you should be able to get them healthy enough that the aphids cannot eat them. It is super cool to see aphids attack my trap crop plants and not even touch the plants growing all around the trap crop. Nature is amazing.

[@binglim1]

You are so right. My bamboo plant was fully of aphids. The aphids were gone after I repotted it with brand new pot and soil.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Good deal, thanks for watching.

[@victorsr6708]

As a long time Gardener and long term sprayers of just about everything sold at the stores I thank you!!! I’m an adopter of organic gardening and looking to learn more everyday. Mrs Patti your videos are awesome and very informative, NOT complicated to understand. I have countless hours invested in permaculture videos but it’s a lot to digest. At the end of the day I like many other people just want to be responsible gardeners and have fun, YOU make that possible.

[@emmacampbell3719]

Most helpful video. Thanks much.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

You are welcome!

[@DelcifromALifeofHeritage]

We were up there soaking at the end of October and stuck our head in there because I’ve never seen the greenhouse before. So awesome :) Thanks for sharing this!

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Hi Delci, I am glad you got to visit before the winter weather hit!

[@timturk1899]

"Healthy plants can't get infested with any insects", I had learned, not too long ago. This was a video on Brix in the plant, using equipment that checks the Brix number. Any plant at "12", or higher, means it's healthy, and higher Brix bring higher prices, especially popular with great Chefs. Apparently, when a plant isn't fully healthy, it puts out Pheromones that attract insects, and the insects send out Pheromones that there's a plant "dying", and needs to be eaten. Very interesting research they've been coming up with! Thanks for explaining these basics in a very simple way!👍💯🙏✌️

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

I have found that some plants can get very high Brix, but it is hard to do. When we get hot dry weather for long periods, the plants that are stressed get aphids while other plants side by side do not. Very interesting.

[@beebeetee9957]

Yup! so true. This is very good advice. Our bodies are the same too.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thanks for the kind comments and best of luck to you.

[@jordanxfile]

Great tips; thank you.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you and best of luck.

[@gardenspirit6537]

Hello from the uk, Love this video. I personally dont use anythink on any plants outdoors apart from horse manure and shreadded leaves on bark as top dressing. i believe that what dos well in my garden stays and thats what i grow. There is no reson to use chemicals. If you listen to what your garden is telling you and take care of it right it will all work out x

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Agree, I do a lot of teaching and many people are just starting out gardening and are having to learn from the ground up. I am glad you have clean horse manure to work with. Sadly, much of ours is contaminated by a new class of horse wormer :(.

[@gardenspirit6537]

@@regenerativegardeningwithpatti Thank you for the reply to my comment 😀 iv never heard of that before, something I'll have to look up. we should be teaching people to garden clean and organic its the only way. it's good to see people like you taking the time to teach people how it's done right, thank you x

[@jessidurmis]

This came to me perfectly❤❤❤ I am planning a small sustainable farm in southwestern PA..I am worried about pest of course! But I also am worried about harming living beings including aphids! I find the little guys cute to be honest. And it kills me inside when I think about “needing” to kill insects to have a successful farm. I’ve been learning about beneficial insects and how to create space for them but I have not come across this info yet! Thank you! ✨✨✨

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

You should plant a beetle bump, they really help with the beneficials and are pretty too.

[@davidargel]

Thanks for your andvice! Saludos desde la Ciufad de México.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you for your coment, best of luck.

[@michaelfoort2592]

The affected kale was incredibly strong and robust. Insect pests rely on plants to live...a healthy plant has more goodness to extract than a weak one.

[@Atimatimukti]

Wrong .

[@romerioraiuga2301]

Muito errado

[@slowdown3415]

Yep. I agree , in my experience most of these problems only occur when something (in the soil, water issues, too much, not enough fertiliser , not enough / too much sun etc) is not right .

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thanks for your comment. Best of luck

[@soblessed1962]

Thanks for the advice

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you for your comment, best of luck.

[@janicevstein6391]

Tomorrow I am going to fertilize my okra plants and make them healthy and bug resistant. Thank you. I’m gonna spray for aphids also.

[@michellecolledge2355]

Brilliant. Thank you.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@michaelcolors]

I appreciate you! ❤Wonderful video that reminds us of what it means for plants to be under stress in some way! This works practically the same for human beings also. How? When humans are stressed in some way, and it could be on the physical level, the emotional level or the mental level, then it opens them up to illness or disease. This is why it's so important to take care of ourselves both physically and spiritually. As for the plants ... yes, it could be that they need this nutrition that u recommend. But this is a reminder that there could be other factors of stresses present (and each plant has a different threshold), for example, not getting the full spectrum of the sun's rays, such as ultraviolet, which may be filtered out in the greenhouse. I don't have data, but just something to look into further ... I believe that the combo of using the nutrition that u show us in the video, along with using an anti aphid spray will work even better!! If u haven't yet experimented with goldenrod leaves, then give this a try. The mascerated leaves (not the flower raceme) and stems placed into an alcohol solution to give a tincture (aged). Then, after this tincture is complete, mix it with water in a spray bottle. I believe it will be very effective at dispersing the aphids. I am pretty certain that the goldenrod tincture will not kill the beneficial insects. 💜

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Very interesting. Goldenrod can attract certain aphids. I am growing goldenrod as a farmscape plant. I never underestimate the power of plants and do like plant leave extracts. I am looking for plants that pests cannot eat, as I believe those plants will have a high level of nutrition which in turn humans are eating to gain better nutrition. If you watch more of my videos you will see that I plant, plants for the aphids to feed on. This brings in all kinds of beneficial insects and pollinators that I do not recognize and creates a feeding frenzy that is quite amazing. Best of luck and happy growing. Thanks for your comments!

[@pamkgs]

Your strategy also goes for the human body! Everything depends on some sort of microbiome to thrive. I did not think of your idea that the plants were not getting enough of certain nutrients to be healthy and ward off the predators and diseases. I'll work on the nutrition by adding more worm castings and some worms. Note: Recently I had aphids appear from nowhere indoors (maybe my living soil?) so I ordered some lady beetles but they just walked right over the aphids! To get rid of the aphids I took the plants outside and hosed them off. Another thing about aphids is to see if the ants are farming them. That's a whole other chapter!!

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you for sharing. Aphids are very opportunistic in nature. They will appear from nowhere and set up shop as long as the plant is not producing complete proteins. In general, if you have too much nitrogen in the soil, the plants are going to get aphids. We set the dinner table for them. So for the house plants, I add living compost to my soil, use a mulch, and add some worm/kelp for them. I only add a light dose of fish to the plants when they are growing and I have been able to not get aphids in the house for a long time, decades.

[@sailajabandhakavi9459]

Me too observed similar effect on plants when a plant is attacked by aphids i gave the plant macro, micro nutrients frequently then the plant started growing luxuriantly without aphids

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Very cool, and exciting to grow healthy plants. Some day maybe we can get to a higher level of photosynthesis so the plant can produce more of its genetic potential! good job!!!

[@andrewmckinley6571]

Thank you for the food for thought

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

You are welcome. Best of luck

[@geoffchurchman5211]

That make lots of sense geoff South Africa

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thanks for your coment, best of luck

[@clayten1]

Thank you

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you for your coment, best of luck.

[@Arwtga]

Oh my god you're a genius! I'm so glad rigth now

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you, I am glad and best of luck to you.

[@christopherkelsch]

Love your video and agree with you 100%

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you Chris. Best of luck to you.

[@kkryz]

The ruby dipper tomato plants and goji plant seemed to withstand a lot of aphids and still thrive. I hope I get a bunch of aphids next year too because a bunch of kinglets visited and ate them quickly. A nice surprise. Your garden looks nice

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you. That is really cool to have Kinglets visit! I plant calendula and it can get stressed at the end of the harvesting season, and it will bring in the aphids! Best of luck!

[@kkryz]

@@regenerativegardeningwithpatti :) oh, that's good to know about the calendula. Thank you

[@johnliberty3647]

I have aphid problems after cold stress or lack of water. I remove the affected new growth and fix the water deficit. If it’s due to cold I just prune alone. I also have certain beans where ants and aphids (well known combo) take over and I let them. As much as I like beans I figure I got the nitrogen fixing from the legume so I got something out of it. Here in Florida some plants will be lost to pests and it’s better to just not grow them again unless it has other benefits like pollinator attracting or nitrogen fixing. Aphids here are protected by ants who eat their secretions. Hard to find aphid predators with ants protecting them so solution here are to fix what ever stresses plants.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

I agree with you. Fixing the plant stress will go a long way. Do you have black wasps in Florida? They lay eggs in the aphids and can wipe out the aphids with or without the ant protectors.

[@johnliberty3647]

I do not know what wasps we have but we have a lot of them. I grow yarrow to attract wasps. I work at a nursery that specializes in survival plants in our unique climate. Scrubland Farmz nursery. So I have access to all those plants that thrive here and attract beneficials. I propagate plants there and at home in my hobby nursery. Even organic pesticides are a problem so keeping a natural balance is the best way to deal with pests. Sometimes a plant might be lost to a pest. Until I find a better way I just let the pests win and hope for predator insects to find a feast.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

@@johnliberty3647 excellent. I think we need to let nature do her thing, and that means at times to wait and see what happens. I am collecting seeds from the plants that do the best in our growing conditions. The black wasps are tiny smaller than a nat. They have to lay their eggs inside the aphid and they lavra eat the aphid from the inside out.

[@miriamruth1]

so true and thank you from NZ

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Best of luck with your growing.

[@eveneo5897]

Very well said

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you!

[@victordashmohapatra3546]

I have been to Forests multiple times and never have i found Aphids ❤ we are so much used to chemicals and monoculture that we never let beneficial bacteria and insects to grow.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thanks for your coment, best of luck

[@ShortbusMooner]

Thank you- I'll try that! 👍

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

You are welcome, and best of luck.

[@LisadeKramer]

This is my first year growing peppers in my greenhouse. It is a learning experience. I just now got a shade cloth over the GH. Some of my pepper plants have aphids and others do not. Not sure what to think.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

I have noticed that genetics play a role in plant immunity. I would apply the micronutrients I discussed in the video if you can source them. Best of luck

[@erichbrewer6403]

Good point about pollinators. Small flowers for small pollinators, big flowers for larger ones. Honey bees like smaller flowers. Bumble bees and butterflies look for larger flowers like camellias and roses.

[@erichbrewer6403]

You must have been a school teacher. I heard you say you have to keep repeating. Yes you do!

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Very true, I am. The adult workshops I teach require even more repeating than for the kids. I know some people do not like to hear the repeating but it helps people to make positive changes in their practices. I figure the people who don't want the recap at the end can just stop watching the video. Thank you and best of luck growing.@@erichbrewer6403

[@Sencman1]

Thanks you very much. This makes perfect sense. When the pests appear it means your plant needs something its not getting now. Fertilize more at this point and watch nature take care of the pest problem. The perfect cycle. I have a question please , pests like mole crickets which travel underground, does this apply? Will they also stay away from healthy plants or is something else needed here? Thanks so much again. Voices of simplicity, reason and experience are rare and precious in this time.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you for being so gracious. Yes on the mole crickets and grasshoppers are at a pretty high level of plant health before you are repealed but it is possible. Pay close attention to when plants are the most likely to come under stress. In those stress periods, mole crickets and hoppers take advantage fast. Just make sure the fertilizer does not have very much N it in and does have the key micronutrients to do photosynthesis. Best of luck in growing season.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

One other thing. Your soil and plants need to have a lot of soil microbes present to gain control of the crickets or hopper. If your compost does not have enough numbers or diversity I recommend buying them from Tainio Biologicals (I get mine from Advancing Eco Ag). If you are making your own compost, add as many native plants and diversity to the compost materials to increase the diversity of your microbes. Good luck.

[@Sencman1]

Excellent. Thanks again. I am from Trinidad in the Caribbean. Yes I do make my own compost and every day is a learning experience. Best of luck to you too.

[@alleandoss4042]

I got it. Thank you!

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Allean, you are welcome. Best of luck

[@GardenMama-sw7gz]

I like this way of thinking about addressing aphids because I want my plant healthy. I think my brassica are stressed because I didn't water them enough and over wintered. Is this a homemade recipe I can make for the white aphids on my kale and cabbages?

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

You need the micronutrients for the plants to perform at a really high level. You can buy a product like micro-genics. One bottle will last a long time unless you have a super large market garden. Best of luck.

[@neerajkakar8104]

No one has taught this thing about aphids! Everyone just use pesticides to get rid of them. I also thought there is some nutrition deficiency in plant that might be the cause but this video proves it all! Can you please guide about fungal diseases like powdery mildew, downy mildew, anthranose, are these diseases also caused by stressed plants.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Hi Neer, Watch this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/emLae5iclquljKs I think it will really help Unfortunately the agriculture industry has been all about selling the producer's products.

[@kanders7391]

Currently my main problem is conserving water as I am in central California and it only gets more expensive, but having a bare unplanted property only helps dry the land out. I have looked at many different water conservation planting tricks including mixing peat moss or coconut coir into the soil, shading the ground with mulch & shady plants so the sun doesn’t steal its moisture, clay olla pots buried that you fill with water and cap off. The plants root to the pots and suck out extra water. And planting in divots about a foot or so deep which they do in the arid Canary islands off of Africa. Thats how I’m going to do my trees and the more water loving plants.

[@1FISH]

Stop planting in the ground if you want to save water. If you want to plant in the ground, you can't do it responsibly in an area with drought. It's just not possible. Water retaining soil, mulch, and drip irrigation can only go so far in the ground. Most of that water will be lost to the environment no matter what you do if you don't keep the water contained. If you care about water use, you should look into growing methods that focus on water first. Some environments can't support 'traditional' growing techniques, and as a resource conscious gardener, it's good to look into methods that work with the environment, rather than against it. I'm also in California, and I've transitioned most of my garden out of the ground and into containers with drip trays. No overflow into the ground. I'm using less water, my plants are healthier, and I'm getting better yields than ever before. The world is huge and diverse. One size will not fit all.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

ONe other thing you can try is to shade cloth and keep the west sun completely off your growing area. Best of luck

[@philomenabrabazonobroin5236]

Brilliant

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you!!!! Best of luck to you.

[@ziggyustar3137]

Over wintering my baby lemon trees they have such delicious leaves at some point the little flys come in so tiny. This year the pomegranate trees all died (after 2 years)from aphids I put ash on them in the past it worked pretty good/watering from the bottom. I just use ash from the wood burning stove it works on roses / now I put garlic in between the lemon trees even in the same pot/ sort of got better still looking for long term solution as I am trying to make a successful nursery(just retired)

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Hey Ziggy, give the micronutrients a try they will increase your overall growth on your trees in time Best of luck growing..

[@ziggyustar3137]

@@regenerativegardeningwithpatti Hey, always had the green thumb from my gardening parents but never ever dealt with pests of any kind/ the air and ground is very moist in Chilliwack, BC so perfect for growing certain things all year round Thanks for responding there's a real Gal I use Epsom salts as micronutrients and they love the bump 3 times a year/

[@choppamull7502]

Although I agree and have watched only first 2 mins of this vid I would ask this question... At night time when plants aren't photosynthesizing even the healthy ones wouldn't like aphids.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

The sap in the plant that has already been produced is at a higher level than the aphids can digest. Thanks for the good question.

[@growapairepaire7354]

I notice that the package you use has boron as one of these minerals. That is an ant/insect killer in itself. But also, trees/plants do use this mineral(and others) for the process of photosynthesis. I am hoping to be more prepared for this spring coming as this year my fruiting trees were viviously attecked by aphids, this being after I had given all my fruit trees the autumn before a good pruning. They were thus in a state of shock still. This year coming will bring me a better harvest i am sure.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

A great thing you can do for the trees, even in the winter is to spread the minerals on the ground and apply high fungal compost. Not nitrogen-based compost. Best of luck, the trees are having difficulty with our changing weather and climate.

[@growapairepaire7354]

@@regenerativegardeningwithpatti Thank you for your advice. I did some mulching just yesterday on some of my fruit trees. I am behind this process at the moment as I wanted to build a greenhouse which is now done. Upwards and onwards!

[@swen6797]

My reply, while I am starting to watch the video, is to increase the brix in a plant to a point where the pests can not handle it. A high brix measurement is the result of the "better photosynthesis" you just mentioned. Im not real sure how a typical greenhouse would grow a diverse polyculture of cover crops and increase the organic content in the soil that lets mycelium and bacteria thrive, that are supposed to be feeding the plants after the plants have fed them the carrbohydrates from photosynthesis that they exude from their roots. In light of this information, and other info I have learned about the light of life, I am questioning how wise greenhouses are. The plants would definitely have "better photosynthesis" in raw sunlight.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Well said. Most plants are performing photosynthesis at extremely low levels. Once we can get them performing well, we should really see plants as we have never seen them before! Best of luck

[@joman104]

Ive only ever had aphid issues with indoor gardening. Plenty of predator insects outside

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

House plants should receive some micronutrients once in a while to increase their chances of defending themselves. Bet of luck

[@Adnancorner]

I personally think getting waste from fish markets as a raw material for compost and then adding some sea water to bring in the minerals. Then after composting I add nitrogen fixers and other native plants for chop and drop to increase the bio mass in soil to build the soil.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Hi Adnan, Wonderful, I am jealous. I am 880 miles from a fish market. I would love to get diversity from different kinds of fish. Sound like a very successful recipe. Thanks for sharing.

[@ghengis430]

Would fish , blood and bone suffice ?

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

I'm jealous too, I am a 500-mile round trip to the nearest Red Lobster and a 2400-round trip to a fish market! But we do have humic acid. I would love to trade some compost with you to share microbes!

[@user-do7lp9fl8i]

Can you give a list of the products you use to get your plants healthy to get the bugs to go away.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

I can share what I used but every year is different, different environment, and different conditions, everything is different. The first thing I start with is a biological seed treatment at planting time, you need the plant off to a great start and a great root system. I use bio-coat gold from AEA. I had put raw minerals in the soil in the fall from the BioNurient Food Association (garden kit on their website)- and then used their liquid plant feed. Applied weekly. AEA has a whole lineup of micronutrients if you know what is needed. If you have too much nitrogen in your soil nothing is going to work until the plant can cycle the N. This is the case for most gardeners. Unwatering and over watering are also issues leading to pest problems. I hope this helps.

[@bengrahamvandersandt2477]

legend, thank you

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you for your coment, best of luck.

[@joshn2886]

I’ve always been told some plants are just more susceptible to attacks than others and Even with plants of the same seed packet, tolerance will vary from plant to plant.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

I think we have a lot more to learn from the plants. Plants performing photosnythesis at levels will not have pests.

[@212art]

Last year I 1st encountered these black bean aphids on my Asian long beans and what a pain in the rear but why all of a sudden these critters 10 year never before, it dawned on me last year was the year I didn’t use manure with my veggies, I switched to fertiliser only. My thinking is aphids don’t not like manure grown veggies so I planted 1 roe with fertiliser and 1 with manure and wow look at that the roe with fertiliser is full of them and the other is clean and now I’m seeing them on other veggies but not the roe with manure. As for killing them sunflower oil and dish soap did the job but they return quickly either because of the ants or the spray misses a few but either way what a pain….

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Great job. I like your experiment and observations. If you give your plants that have aphids on them micronutrients Mg, Mn, S, B. The aphids will not be able to consume the sap in your plants. Best of luck. Your garden sounds fun, it would be nice to see it.

[@cIeetz]

I have to disagree. Aphids in my experience with them are able to eat anything that is edible. Yes they can feed faster on plants that are wilting, but they still eat ones that are thriving. Anything that isnt toxic to them gets dessicated. I had a completely healthy soilless plant ( one of those ones with no soil, the air plants ) and it put out the most beautiful flowers and aphids ate them and ruined such a beautiful bloom. I only got aphids in my home because I took in rain water from outside. They wouldnt of been able to enter the home if I didnt transport them in. Lesson learned. Only use clean spring or reverse osmosis/distilled water. Your point of view is similar to saying we have internal parasites because we need to eat better. Fact is, you can eat alot cleaner and you still wont get rid of the parasites once they are in You. The measures You have to take there-after are extreme. The aphids in my home are now gone because they consumed every plant that wasnt toxic until they all died, only plants like my snake plants and a couple other ones that are toxic to aphids remained. Now I'll be careful to look for pests in plants I buy and isolate them after buying.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

I have found over the years, that there is always more to learn. If you want to understand where I am coming from this is a good resource. kzbin.info/www/bejne/emLae5iclquljKs LIfe is a journey. Best of luck.

[@denisemiller8474]

If you don’t want aphids get rid of snow ball trees and bottle bush trees they hibernate in them . Best way if you can check your underside of leave’s daily. Don’t use wood chips in your garden.

[@ElectrifiedStud]

Just like how covid hit hard on the weaklings and couldn't do anything to the stronger ones, health is all important. Good message and thanks for sharing your wisdom. Cheers from India

[@devinsullivan7233]

Aphids are not a virus. They can pick and choose where they want to go since they do have wings as an adult. Think of them more like a bird. They can choose their favorite plants and microclimates because they can travel by air.

[@user-zw7mh6iv8p]

It would be helpful if you put the names of your products in the description. Good video.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Added them to the discription, but I am not endorsing any products. The key is the mirconutrients in small doses and creating health soil. Thanks

[@user-zw7mh6iv8p]

@@regenerativegardeningwithpatti understood but for a beginner gardener, what do I use to make it healthy? There are so many products out there. We don’t know how to make it healthy. Thank you.

[@johnNJ4024]

Have you considered that maybe applying that mix of natural "plant booster" the plants are systemically absorbing something that is distasteful to aphids so they are not feeding on the plant juices and dying off?

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Yes, you can apply to the leaves. Fogging on would work best. Great point!

[@zoponex3224]

I was unable to catch the name of the product with all the bionutrients you showed at the beginning; could you share it in writing, please? Thanks so much.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Planters solution from Advancing Eco Agriculture.

[@kmcam2524]

Thought this was more a in-depth analysis on neem oil and why not to use it. I need, unfortunately, the use of neem oil for those accursed lantern flies. Unless there is a predator I’m unaware of that I could build a habitat for to control their destruction.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

I'm not familiar with lantern flies. Sounds like they eat plant sap, so I would think you should be able to the plants healthy enough that they cannot digest the sap. You can learn more about the subject from John Kemfps Plant Health Prymind. kzbin.info/www/bejne/emLae5iclquljKs best of luck

[@MAtildaMortuaryserver]

I used neem once, cannot stand the smell. But aphids do just wreck my latest crepe myrtle. Totally black with sooty mold. Nothing seems to work. I really wanted ladybugs to work, but they ate a few then flew away.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Yeah, I would use the micronutrients to improve plant health. The best beneficials are the ones that come and stay and reproduce. I plant a lot fo plants for the beneficials to eat and create a habitat. I have a video showing some of the flowers are am planting in a regenerative greenhouse. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5PNmauGpbWYask You might gain some ideas from it. As far as the sooty mold, I would about too much moisture? Best of luck growing and I hope you can overcome your issues.

[@pcmartiny]

Do you have any advice about slugs please

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Oh yeah, the slugs. I have discovered the same thing. If the plants are healthy the slugs don't eat them. The slugs are a primary decomposer, and they eat plants that are dead or almost dead. If you reduce watering especially un-head. The slugs will stay in the mulch or underground if it is dried at the surface.

[@samuelponce1]

3:40 you know what I also was thinking and knowing that my plant isn’t getting enough light so I guess maybe your on your something

[@stefankleinhans4895]

Saying Hello from South Africa I have and a wide spread of Aphids and Spider Mites. I cant get rid of any of them. I have given many nutrients and sprayed worm tea. But I am not winning this year. Would be great to know how to fix up the plant. Or should one get rid of the plant and start again? How do you know if the soil is the issue. Thanks for the video. I have never had luck with neem oil. But leaving aphids alone does not bring beneficial bugs in my case.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Hi Stefan, Sounds like a difficult situation for sure. How big is your growing area? Here is a video that should help you to understand the plant side of things. kzbin.info/www/bejne/emLae5iclquljKs Have you tested your soil? Have you tested with a PLFA to know if your soil has active microbial communities that are working or not? I have a lot of questions, right. I need information to try to help you. Are you in your growing season right now? Have a good day.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/emLae5iclquljKs

[@stefankleinhans4895]

@@regenerativegardeningwithpatti Thank you for replying. I am in a town house and the garden is not small but not big either. To be exact is that I have 4 sections. I will have to send pictures in order to explain my setup. the one is 2 x 5 meters. the patio\ lappa section is 6 x 4 meters with shade cloth protection. and the main growing area is about 8 x 3 meters. and with shade cloth protection. there there is an area closest to the swimming pool that has a plastic green house and grass areas and this is about 3 x 3 meters. There are some trees and the sun changes angle but as I stated I need to show you with a video or pictures to explain. I have not tested the soil. I have been told this once but I cant find a place and also the cost seems a bit hectic. I have added worm compost, my own garden compost, and red farm soil, and horse manure and chicken manure over 2 to 3 years. I also bought compost from Different places. so I do feel like this could be my first issue, but cant seem to find a cost effective solution to fix it, if that is the issue. I mean stuff is growing, just not as good as everyone else. I dont know PFLA but will google and see how I can test here in South Africa. All I can say is that between red spider mites, Mealie bugs and aphids, I cant seem to enjoy a health garden. We have summer now here in south africa, with temps in the 30 degree Celsius and some heavy to mild rain fall. My sadest issue is that last year my tomatoes was booming, this year the plants go brown and dried out assuming blight, and fruits are small and black, brown bottoms assuming bottom end rot. bought calcium and fed the grown but no chnage yet. and this is the same for my squash, from gems to butternut and baby marrows, however I cant complain there seems to be one or two growing. Herbs like sage goes gray, assuming fungal related. I had fennel and dill that I had to get rid of due infestation of aphids. same goes for broccoli. I save more sage and mint and they all have mealie bugs. My gardenia has dark brown leave tips and mealie bugs, I know not a veg or herb, but a flower plant, and I have it for 3 years' now, and no luck in flowers. have a lemon tree with small fruit. but will give it time. at the moment I have potato's and corn and they seem okay, the potato's have yellow leaves. lavender has grey leaves at the bottom, assuming over watering. I have two lemon verbena and a passion fruit marigold and I seem to have killed it by spraying them with insecticide for roses to get rid of spider mites. or to prevent them. i had to cut them back and hope and pray they will survive. I use mulch, I use fertilizer. and I am learning not to over love my plants with water. Lastly mint also seems to have small leaves, and yellow and brown. Anyway, I am talking to much. will watch the video, thanks

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

@@stefankleinhans4895 Hi Stefan, I am really sorry you are having so many challenges. If I lived in a city I would love to have a patio like yours. It sounds like you will have to get your soil healthier. It is a big challenge when we cannot make our own compost. I am reserved to use animal manure unless I know the animal producer and know what kind of wormers and insecticides they are using (prefer that do not use any). All of the insecticides are killing microbes to some degree. Even getting lawn grass for composting is risky. The goal is to avoid all herbicides and other chemicals. Is there a vegetable producer in our area that is being successful in growing organically? Try to learn what they are doing. I would be trying to find them and learn from them or even source their compost and or soil. As far as helping right away there is a few things you can try. 1) use a little dose of (spray on) kelp and or seaweed with worm casting and not worm juice on your plants. You want to improve the plant's immune system. 2) apply a couple of tablespoons of sugar to the gallon of water on the plants that are being attracted by pests. 3) apply a couple of tablespoons of milk in a gallon of water and spray on any plants that may get a fungal disease. 4) Do not apply fertilizers other than small amounts of fish emulsions and the micronutrients I showed in the video (Mg, Fe, Mn, N, P, B). 5) apply biological inoculant to the soil and mist of the plants. 5) Look at the roots of some of our plants to see if they have healthy roots or not. As far as turning around plants that are really struggling is pretty difficult. Depending on how long your growing season is it may pay to start new seeds and be sure to use biological seed treatment to the seeds and growing media. Seeds that start out right will have big roots and be stronger and healthier. The goal is the increase the microbes so they can help the plant to be successful. Here is a video to help you understand the plants better. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWLcaIB-o9Kim8k I wish you the best and hope you can start being successful and growing healthier plants.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

One other thing, it can take a long time for the plants to cycle too much nitrogen in the soil. I have had it take 3 months to get the nitrogen cycled through so the plants can get healthy enough not to have aphids or other sucking insects (spider mites etc..). Do not apply more nitrogen or manure etc... to start getting back in balance. Best of luck. Sorry, you are struggling.@@stefankleinhans4895

[@ShesMrsSunshine]

Are lady bugs to be purchased to introduced them to the garden

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

I do not. The ones I have are there on their own. Many of which are hatched in the garden on the plants that are not as healthy as the others.

[@rachelstark2391]

Would this also ward off Black Fly?

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

I do not think so. Don't they eat meat?

[@rachelstark2391]

@@regenerativegardeningwithpatti I am not talking about a housefly.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

I guess I do not know what flies you are talking about, sorry. @@rachelstark2391

[@postupmedia]

All those minerals are available in seawater, spray seawater 1 : 30 dilution rate

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Thank you for your coment, best of luck.

[@Darkfyre755]

I live in a very hot dry part of australia so in the summer my plants are always stressed lmao. My entire garden right now is covered in ants and aphids right now so im just gonna give everything some extra liquid fertilizer and hope that some ladybugs or something will show up to help soon 😅

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

If you have a big break out of aphids and ants you probably have too much nitrogen in the soil and the plants. Do not add more N. The extra N has to get cycled through the plants. You can spray a light dose of sugar on some plants and see what happens. Best of luck and I would like to hear what happens.

[@Darkfyre755]

@@regenerativegardeningwithpatti oh ok thanks! That's very helpful. I'm assuming that since we've just gotten a lot of rain recently for the first time in 6 months, the nitrogen from the compost and manure I added to the surface is all getting broken down and consumed into the soil at once. I might try the sugar thing then and report back!

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

What type of soil do you have? Clay or sand?@@Darkfyre755

[@Darkfyre755]

@@regenerativegardeningwithpatti we have very hard clay in most places here. Some areas I have added sand on top that I imported, as it makes it easier to get things established

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Gypums is the best thing you could possibly do. It will help flocculate the clay to reduce compaction and allow air to flow better in the soil. We have heavy clay, and I add gypsum twice a year and add it to my compost.@@Darkfyre755

[@kanders7391]

Planting too many of the same type of plants together consolidates the scent for pests to find them more easily. Even in the vegetable garden you should alternate plants between each other. Plant some plants that aphids & others don’t generally go to in between them. Maybe some herbs & marigold flowers. Also, when I lived near farm fields there were less beneficial bugs as the farmers spray poison, and then a million white flys hatched out from the fields as it didn’t kill the eggs. They came in clouds and sucked the life out of my squash plants within a week. And when the farmer switched his local fields to cotton, they would crop dust spray some sort of plant killer to dry out the cotton plants to help them harvest the boles. Killed nearly everything I tried to grow in my yard. I moved away eventually. Now I live near a new avocado grove on the coast. No doubt whatever attacks those trees will hatch out en-mass. LOL but just saying, sometimes its not your fault if your plants fail. If you live near farmers, the whole ecology will likely be out of whack. Their massive fields of all the same crop is a big scent marker for certain bugs and they hatch even from the cut plants or weeds around the perimeter, or the hay crops that are let dry. Even with all the poisoning. Because life finds a way to still get at those crops. They lay eggs, then eat. Meanwhile the bees & butterflies & other pollinators take the hit & many species have nearly died out. Along with song birds who eat them. They are generally fly catchers.

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

I agree with your assessment. The cotton would have been sprayed with Gylosate "roundup", which also means our clothes have roundup in them. There is a lot of room for improvement in Big Ag. I just am trying to help the people who want to grow healthy food as much as I can. Happy growing.