Dr Linda Gilkeson at the Kamloops Master Gardeners workshop about Insect and Disease Identification and Control.
A week ago, the Kamloops Master Gardeners put on a workshop about Insect and Disease Identification and Control. Dr Linda Gilkeson conducted the day long lecture.
Linda has just published a new book called West Coast Gardening: Natural Insect, Weed and Disease Control. The book covers the most common insect, weed and disease problems the home gardener might see. The book can be used with the Pest and Disease Images found on the website.
I found the book very concise and easy to use. Linda outlines a very simple system for ?gardeners to start using Integrated Pest Management which includes: prevention, identification, observation, treatment (or no treatment), and follow-up. But most of all, she gives the sage advice: “Don’t panic!” Many times, Linda suggests, “It’s best to just observe the problem and do nothing.” She counsels gardeners to avoid “revenge spraying” stating that the population explosion of the pest has probably already resolved itself. Linda suggests the best medicine is prevention:
- Start with healthy plants. If there is a local disease, choose a resistant variety.
- Avoid stressing plants. Choose the right environment and manage appropriate rates of growth.
- Use physical and mechanical barriers. Protect your crop from pests, weeds and diseases.
If you get a change to hear Linda lecture, I would highly recommend the experience. (Here is Linda’s Speaking Schedule.) Linda is a fantastic speaker and very funny. I never thought pest management could be so much fun!
West Coast Gardening: Natural Insect, Weed and Disease Control by Dr Linda Gilkeson.
Kamloops Master Gardeners will be offering their Basic Training Program starting September 7 to December 7, 2013. This course is only offered every second year, so if you are interested please call 250.372.0717.
