Plants

For those of us who are familiar with crop care, whether it be orchards or gardens, pest control is one of the most difficult factors to deal with. We have to be alert to detect the pests, to buy and apply the appropriate treatment (sometimes of synthetic origin that deteriorate the productive capacity of the plants and contaminate the crop) and to see how it evolves in order to make adjustments. 

But for some time now, a new pest control system known as “Integrated Pest Control” has been gaining fame thanks to its effectiveness, its “almost” self-control and the fact that it is a 100% biological system that has no harmful impact on our crops. It is known as Integrated Pest Management the biological control of pests, using the breeding of natural enemies of pests to combat them. This practice is increasingly widespread in agricultural areas that are committed to the quality of the crop and the final product, but it has also begun to be a trend among private individuals, who want to make their garden a more sustainable and natural place.  

[su_button url=”https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=34680456580&text=Hola,%20quiero%20m%C3%A1s%20informaci%C3%B3n%20sobre%20la%20lucha%20integrada” target=”blank” background=”#00987c” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ icon=”icon: whatsapp”]Ask us for more information[/su_button]

[su_spacer size=”25″]

Benefits of incorporating biological pest control

The system is based on two fundamental aspects: the selection and breeding of beneficial species (adapted to the environment), and the preparation of a release plan for the species, controlling the progress of the species and optimizing their effectiveness. The aim is to create a living ecosystem where there is a balance of species, promoting biodiversity and controlling pests naturally, without the use of contaminants, thus maximizing the productive capacity and longevity of the plants in our crop.    

This biological control is carried out by strengthening and giving continuity to the insect populations that we have incorporated into our ecosystem, creating an environment adapted to the needs of the added predatory species so that they remain in the crop and work preventively to control new pests. 

So we are not only talking about a biological control system that benefits our crops, but also about embracing a healthy lifestyle that contributes to improving our environment and eliminating any trace of environmental footprint. At Agrojardín, we work side by side with Biobest, an expert company in pollination and pest control of Belgian origin, leading the Integrated Pest Management for more than 30 years. Through our collaboration, we seek to make our clients aware of the advantages of incorporating biological pest control in their orchard or garden, adopting a more environmentally friendly philosophy. 

As always, we say goodbye not without inviting you to visit us to talk about it with our staff. We are waiting for you!

[su_spacer size=”25″]
[su_button url=”https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=34680456580&text=Hola,%20quiero%20m%C3%A1s%20informaci%C3%B3n%20sobre%20la%20lucha%20integrada” target=”blank” background=”#00987c” size=”6″ center=”no” radius=”0″ icon=”icon: whatsapp”]Ask us for more information[/su_button]

The heat came, and with it came the mosquitoes. Thousands and thousands of them stalk us during the summer both on the streets and at home, often disturbing our sleep even at night. To fight them, the conventional way is to use the typical repellents, but the insects are becoming more and more resistant to them. Fortunately, although some insects (including mosquitoes) are disease carriers, it has been confirmed that they do not transmit Covid-19.

The answer to mosquito pests is as always in nature. Here is a selection of plants that keep mosquitoes away, as well as many other insects. That’s right, forget about conventional repellents and let nature take care of the problem. In addition, the plants listed below are not harmful to the health of children or your pets in any way. Let’s see them:

1. Geranimus

Not only tremendously effective against mosquitoes, but they are also beautiful, colorful and have an incredible aroma. It is also a very common plant that is very easily found.

2. Basil

This aromatic plant, besides being widely used in cooking, has a smell that bothers insects a lot.  

3. Marigold

A plant with medicinal uses that keeps flies and mosquitoes away. In addition, it has very showy flowers and is very easy to maintain. 

4. Lavender

One of the most aromatic plants whose smell is one of the greatest natural repellents we can find. 

5. Lemon Grass

It is a perennial herb that is commonly used in the manufacture of commercial insecticides. It’s not a showy weed but it fits perfectly in the garden to protect the rest of the plants.

6. Catnip

Thanks to the oil released by its leaves, Nepeta Cataria, or Catnip, is much more powerful in scaring off insects than most chemical repellents.

7. Garlic

Garlic is a great option to be planted near doors and windows, because it is one of the best repellents to keep many insects away, mosquitoes among them, thanks to the sulfur it contains. 

8. Cinnamon

The smell of cinnamon is another effective weapon to fight mosquitoes. In addition, it serves to combat other wood-related pests, such as worms and moths. 

9. Wormwood

Against wasps and hornets, the best without discussion is Artemisia Absinthium, commonly called Wormwood. Thanks to its powerful essential oil, thujone, not only repels these dangerous insects but also other unwanted insects such as mosquitoes. 

10. Citronella

Citronella is one of the most popular and effective plants for fighting mosquitoes. Thus we usually find different products based on this plant, such as candles, bracelets, aromatic sticks…

As always, remember that at Agrojardín we can advise you on the prevention of mosquitoes and any other pest harmful or annoying to your garden, so just come and visit us and ask our staff! 

 

If you have a home garden, you’ve probably heard the term “compatible crop association”. This technique is simply the combination of different species of plants in our organic garden, with different characteristics, with the aim of minimizing the competitive relationship between these plants growing together. In this way, being their needs and care different, the plants complement each other instead of competing for the available resources (substrate, water, sun, space…), minimizing the spread of pests and diseases, keeping your garden safe and even enhancing the taste and growth of the crops.

But you have to be careful, as there is also a harmful association of crops, due to the incompatibility of certain plants whose combination increases competition for existing resources and favors the proliferation of pests. An example of a positive association would be planting onions near carrots, as onions repel the carrot fly, a type of pest that tends to damage the crop quite badly.

Here are some tips to practice the association of compatible crops in a correct way:

Combine crops that have different growth rates

Lettuce (fast growth), can be planted in the free space left by a slower crop, such as cabbage for example, so there is no competition between the two. 

Do not put plants from the same family together, as they are often incompatible

Examples: Solanaceous (tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, potatoes…), Legumes (beans, broad beans, lentils, peas…) or curbaceous plants (melon, courgette, cucumber, watermelon…).

 

Plant legumes to incorporate nitrogen and nutrients into the soil

 

 

 

 Next to a plant with a high demand for resources, which exhausts the soil (carrot, celery, corn…), you can plant legumes to incorporate nitrogen and nutrients into the soil.

 

Incorporate aromatic and floral plants to your orchard

It is a good idea to incorporate aromatic and floral plants to our orchard, keeping away pests and attracting insects that favour the biological control of your garden.

If you have any doubts about any particular combination, remember that our staff are experts in this field and will be happy to advise you. As always, we are waiting for yo

 

u at Agrojardin!

Under the term aromatic plants we group very different species in terms of characteristics and needs, but all have in common the production of essential oils, which makes them fragrant plants that perfume our gardens, homes and terraces. Rosemary, thyme, sage or lavender are some of these plants. The production of these essential oils takes place during the night, being released throughout the day. 

Aspects that will make our aromatic plants a success

However, each of these plants has its own characteristics that differentiate it from the others, requiring special care, so we will give you a small review of each of them with some maintenance tips:

Basil

Basil is a branched and woody plant that is favoured by the warm climate, helping it to grow very quickly. Its smell floods the house during the summer and if we keep it well, we will have a constant supply of basil for our kitchen (which by the way is quite expensive to buy). It is sown from seeds, planted in well-drained soil with good exposure to the sun when there is no cold weather, and watered twice a day during the first few days. When it grows, be sure to pick the leaves often to encourage growth. 

 

Dill

Originally from Asia and the Middle East, dill is a plant with an intense smell, similar to parsley or fennel. It grows best in a temperate climate, although it can withstand a hot climate if the soil is kept cool and moist. The soil must be permeable and well nourished, since dill does not tolerate dry soil. Plant it in spring or summer, away from frosts and low temperatures.

Mint

Mint stands up well to adverse weather, making it an ideal plant for first-time growers. It is usually planted between May and June, providing two or three harvests throughout the year, quite a lot considering the little care it requires. Mint is an invasive species, so it is better to grow it alone and leave it its own pot. 

 

Oregano

The indispensable spice in the kitchen, with a unique and characteristic fragrance. If you plant it in autumn, do it in pots or seedbeds, while in spring you can plant it directly in the ground, leaving 20 cm distance with the rest of the plants. Although it bears frosts well, oregano needs exposure to the sun and a well-drained soil, avoiding waterlogging. When you harvest, cut the bush in half or less without worrying, the plant will sprout again. 

 

Parsley

Originally from the Mediterranean area, parsley is one of the most widely used aromatic herbs in the kitchen, so every cooking lover has it planted in their garden. It adapts to any type of soil, although it prefers them fresh, rich in humus and well fertilized. It also resists almost all climates, although it adapts better to warm ones. It is usually planted from February to September, and its watering must be constant but in small quantity, to maintain the humidity conditions.

 

Rosemary

Typical of our Mediterranean climate, rosemary is a plant that prefers exposure to the sun (although it tolerates intense cold well) and grows well even in poor soil. If we have planted it in outdoor soil, it only requires water in case of a prolonged drought. If we have planted it in a pot, it is preferable to have it in semi-shade, so the heat does not damage the plant at root level, and we will water it regularly allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings. Fertilize them weekly with organic fertilizer between March and June and they will look spectacular. 

 

Thyme

Thyme is a plant that requires constant exposure to the sun and doesn´t tolerate waterlogging. It reaches 20 cm in height and has many different applications (potting, gardening, orchard…). Thyme is a plant that is multiplied by seeds, by cuttings or by division of the bush.  We recommend you to repot it in spring and prune it when the plant runs out of leaves at the base, in a temperate period like spring or autumn.

 

Sage

The sage is typical of the lower Mediterranean mountains, with oval-shaped, hairy, grey leaves, which contrast with the violet flowers that make them easily recognizable, reaching 60cm in height. This plant needs little time to form a good compact shrub and prefers poorly fertile and drained soils, so if your garden does not meet these characteristics, you can plant them in a 20cm pot without problem, using a good substrate. Always keep it in the sun and put your pots in the house if there is a risk of frost. Prune it up and down in winter to keep it full of vegetation. The sage is multiplied by planting terminal cuttings without flowers of about 10cm, planted in a mixture of peat and pearlite. 

 

Lavender 

The aromatic plant par excellence. It is perennial, so its leaves are not renewed annually, and is capable of reaching 1.5 meters in height. For its cultivation, lavender needs an alkaline substrate and good drainage, so a sandy soil is recommended. This aspect is fundamental, since the roots of lavender do not tolerate waterlogging, especially in winter. If you plant it in a pot, make sure it has a diameter of no less than 30 cm, and do not plant it too close to other plants, so that it enjoys good aeration and direct sun (about 6 hours a day). The ideal is to water it once a week (always with the substrate dry before doing so) and without wetting its leaves or stems, so that fungi do not proliferate.

We hope that this advice will be useful to you if you decide to plant any of these plants in your garden and remember that at Agrojadín we have everything necessary for their cultivation, as well as the best advice from our staff. 

We are waiting for you!

 

“Gardening therapy” is an activity that brings you into contact with nature by planting, cultivating and caring for both flowers and ornamental plants, as well as plants for food use. This art can be enjoyed in both indoor and outdoor spaces, so you can work with this concept inside any home just by making sure that the plants and flowers you choose are suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

In situations such as the isolation that we are experiencing in these strange times, gardening therapy is the perfect way to combat the anxiety and stress that we’re all feeling due to being cooped up inside. It’s also an ideal activity for families with kids at home, as it’s a perfect task to do with your children. It’s a game for them and gardens require frequent maintenance and inspection, so they’ll have something to do for a while every day.

What are the main benefits of gardening therapy?

Numerous studies recognise the mental, emotional and even physical benefits of this hobby, and highlight the therapeutic effect in people with high levels of stress and anxiety. Most specialists agree that these benefits arise from the emotional connection that people get from taking care of plants, when we acknowledge both plant and person as life forms that coexist in harmony. These emotions are closely linked to the different processes, with the greatest satisfaction being at times of flowering and harvest when you see the results of a job well done. Furthermore, caring for a garden is a recreational activity, so people who do gardening work ultimately feel the satisfaction and pleasure of seeing the fruits of their work.

Below is a summary of the most beneficial aspects of garden therapy:

1- Gardening is an activity that can be great fun and entertaining for children and adults alike. It improves everybody’s mood and creates pleasant memories of activities shared by parents and children.

2- Being in contact with nature and its elements helps you reduce stress and reconnect with the Earth, something that is increasingly necessary given the pace of life in modern-day society.

3- Although it’s an activity that requires effort and attention, it ends up becoming something tangible, giving you a great feeling of personal fulfilment and satisfaction. These qualities will help you with many other aspects of your life.

4- It greatly improves your patience, commitment and discipline, which are values that you have to adopt to make sure your work bears fruit.

5- If you plant a kitchen garden, you can even introduce kids to healthy and organic food.

6- Gardening is a physical activity after all, so working in the garden helps to keep you active and improve your general fitness.

7- Improved cognitive skills (e.g. memory, attention, retention, concentration…)

8- It turns your surroundings into a more pleasant place to look at, particularly the inside of houses and more urban areas.

9- Planting and cultivating plants directly helps to improve the environment.

10- Finally, you get to see with your own eyes the show put on by nature in its purest state. Watch your garden grow each day and feel a greater connection with it.

So now you know! All hands to the pump and turn your garden into a temple dedicated to relaxation and connecting with Mother Earth! And one more thing! Don’t forget that we’ve got a home delivery service, so there’s nothing to stop you getting started with gardening therapy. Just give us a call.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Summer is approaching, so if you want a burst of color in your garden for the season, now is the time to start learning how to plant your summer bulbs. A bulb is a plant that stores its complete life cycle in an underground storage structure. Bulbs are much more convenient to plant rather than regular plants because they store energy from one growing season to the following one, which explains why summer bulbs are planted during spring.

The moment a bulb begins to flourish, it makes use of the stored energy in order to develop roots, shoots, leaves, and flowers. Planting a summer bulb basically depends on when the soil begins to warm up and how warm the weather is. If the weather starts to reach 15 C, know that it’s time to start planting. Some of the most popular summer bulbs include tuberose, begonias, caladium, dahlias, gladiola, gloriosa lilies, elephant ears, liatris, nerines, oxalis, pineapple lilies, and tigridia.

Planting Summer Bulbs

When you’re choosing the location, check if the soil is well drained except if they are adaptable to muddy conditions. Generally, bulbs are planted approximately three times as deep as their diameter. That means, if you have a bulb of 3 inches around you’ll have to plant it nine inches deep. The bulb’s packaging usually provides you with the exact planting depth for your bulbs. In order for the plants to grow properly and flower freely, assure that the bulbs have enough space around them when planting them. Once you’re done, cover them up with soil and make sure the soil is solid.

What to Avoid

The only problem when planting summer bulbs is that you don’t want pests close to the area where you planted. In general, those to look out for involve aphids, bulb mites, slugs, snails, thrips, bulb flies, borers and leaf-rollers and several others. Spraying the planted area with a chemical pest is best thing to do in order to avoid this problem and for your plants to flower in the finest way.

Tips for Maintenance

The moment you have planted your bulbs, you should be watering them regularly. However, make sure the soil is dry every time you are watering it again. Fertilizers is another thing to take good care of your plants because summer bulbs like strong soil, but it is not required. In case you choose to use it, purchase a fertiliser that is low in nitrogen. You don’t want to blemish your plants by giving them too much food, so carefully follow the given instructions on the fertilizer package.

Yes, planting a bulb will probably make you stick around for weeks and at times months for the outcome, but we can assure you it’s worth the hang.