It's interesting. We spend so much time learning and gathering all of the information about everything we are afraid of, or what we perceive as 'damaging'. Often times, we don't spend so much effort learning about that which supports us.
Perhaps because we become blind to it, because we take it for granted? Here's a farming example: I'm currently doing a lot of research for a university, putting together fact sheets for sustainable fruit production. It's amazing how much literature and how much emphasis is put on 'weeds' and 'pests' and poisons that kill both and ways to 'destroy' their homes and their 'babies'. There is one bug in particular which does a lot of damage to fruit crops in the US-- which is associated with growing legumes along with fruit trees. This bug has several papers which have been written about it, and complete emphasis on how terrible it is. I looked up some of it's natural predators, and surprisingly enough it had several. Also, hardly if any literature came up on any of it's natural predators, for example-- ways to attract them into the garden, what they like.. etc. The whole focus of farming seems to be way off currently.
We are so afraid of having something we 'don't want' in the garden that we try to destroy everything in hopes that our crop will survive. This mentality is completely .. insane. I've noticed, from my own garden, honestly, I maybe have briefly removed a few big plants, or trimmed a few plants (that would be considered 'weeds' -- I honestly dislike the word, because it's misleading, it's assuming that there are good plants and bad plants, which I think there are only.. plants which have a variety of uses and benefits each) -- that were literally choking out plants I seeded. But mostly I let all and any plants grow. I don't spray, I do mulch areas of the garden looking like they need a little boost. But the garden is seriously more full of life, than I've seen it anywhere else. It's covered in spiderwebs, I see lots of lady bugs and preying mantises (all of which are predatory insects). I've had quite the bounty as well, with no 'pest' problems. Sure a few swiss chard leaves had a couple of bug bites, but if that's the worst, from having a vibrant garden using no chemical additives.. bring it on
Gardeners sometimes assume that 'weeds' can only host, 'bad' insects. They also assume that spraying 'bad insects' will get rid of their infestations. Not necessarily, when you spray them, these sprays may be just as damaging, if not more damaging to those other insects that are its predators. Chemicals tend to concentrate the further you go up the foodchain.
Nature works together perfectly. The less we think we have to 'manage' things, the healthier everything will be. Let go of fears, embrace and learn about the beneficial elements, the interconnection of all life cycles.
Perhaps because we become blind to it, because we take it for granted? Here's a farming example: I'm currently doing a lot of research for a university, putting together fact sheets for sustainable fruit production. It's amazing how much literature and how much emphasis is put on 'weeds' and 'pests' and poisons that kill both and ways to 'destroy' their homes and their 'babies'. There is one bug in particular which does a lot of damage to fruit crops in the US-- which is associated with growing legumes along with fruit trees. This bug has several papers which have been written about it, and complete emphasis on how terrible it is. I looked up some of it's natural predators, and surprisingly enough it had several. Also, hardly if any literature came up on any of it's natural predators, for example-- ways to attract them into the garden, what they like.. etc. The whole focus of farming seems to be way off currently.
We are so afraid of having something we 'don't want' in the garden that we try to destroy everything in hopes that our crop will survive. This mentality is completely .. insane. I've noticed, from my own garden, honestly, I maybe have briefly removed a few big plants, or trimmed a few plants (that would be considered 'weeds' -- I honestly dislike the word, because it's misleading, it's assuming that there are good plants and bad plants, which I think there are only.. plants which have a variety of uses and benefits each) -- that were literally choking out plants I seeded. But mostly I let all and any plants grow. I don't spray, I do mulch areas of the garden looking like they need a little boost. But the garden is seriously more full of life, than I've seen it anywhere else. It's covered in spiderwebs, I see lots of lady bugs and preying mantises (all of which are predatory insects). I've had quite the bounty as well, with no 'pest' problems. Sure a few swiss chard leaves had a couple of bug bites, but if that's the worst, from having a vibrant garden using no chemical additives.. bring it on
Gardeners sometimes assume that 'weeds' can only host, 'bad' insects. They also assume that spraying 'bad insects' will get rid of their infestations. Not necessarily, when you spray them, these sprays may be just as damaging, if not more damaging to those other insects that are its predators. Chemicals tend to concentrate the further you go up the foodchain.
Nature works together perfectly. The less we think we have to 'manage' things, the healthier everything will be. Let go of fears, embrace and learn about the beneficial elements, the interconnection of all life cycles.
No comments:
Post a Comment