Every year, for many decades, the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service office has received hundreds of calls from people wanting to know what they can spray to control an insect, disease or weed in their garden or landscape. It is true that Cooperative Extension agents have the best resources to know what is safe and effective. In addition, they make every effort to choose the most effective package of ideas for a comprehensive management approach that is safe for the environment and easy on your expenses.
Homeowners and gardeners have been looking closely at what is called Integrated Pest Management or “IPM”. This may sound sophisticated, but it is really simple. It requires that you do some planning before you plant something or before you treat a pest problem with a chemical based on commercial advertising. It usually starts with things like variety selection for your specific area using disease resistant varieties or proper site selection and soil preparation. Also, grouping different types of plants or understanding what grows in the shade or on a certain side of the house can make a difference. By soil testing and being a student of the process, you can have the best lawn or plants and actually better control of many pests for less money. Too often people see a pretty magazine picture of a garden or a landscape and think just buying the seed and throwing out some fertilizer will make it happen. Well in reality, the disease spores, the bugs, and the weeds are waiting for you to do just that.
Proper planning to maximize your “IPM” goals includes some basic facts. For instance, garden plants and even trees can do much to prevent disease themselves if they are healthy. They can also stand more insect pressure and still economically reach your goals without as much chemical exposure if you learn how to scout for the pest and understand threshold levels. To control weeds, plant spacing can result in shading out weeds in some cases and saving you a lot of work and potentially harmful chemicals in the long run.
The proper plan for effective watering and mulching might save you money and be the best for a lawn or garden as well. There are dozens of other components of a good plan to maximize your goals for adequate production and landscape beauty.
The Cooperative Extension agents in every county in Arkansas can assist you and have many free resources for your use on anything that will grow in the state. If you plan a little time with them in advance of your project, more than likely it will save you time and money. Jefferson County Master Gardeners can also assist growers in making wise decisions.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
There will always be a need for the labeled chemical products on the market when high pest populations or imperfect weather conditions cross your path, but using the “IPM” strategy from day one will have you at the pinnacle of success. Contact the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Jefferson County Extension office at 870-534-1033 or visit the office at 500 Idaho St.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Dennis Bailey is the Extension agent-staff chair with the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service.