Love Me Some Flowers! 9 Plants That Keep Pests Out of Garden

Hello,                     From God's Little Acres... Urban Farming                      February 1, 2016

We got our first seeds planted. We are taking inventory to see what else why might need to order. We are really going to be taking advantage of the beauty and insecticide properties of flowers this year. Good bye white flies, hello petunias! 

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-borage.html Borage

Although it is an herb, borage can deter hornworms and  cabbage worms , and is believed to help almost any plant increase its resistance to disease and pests.

cabbage worms

 http://www.rxlist.com/borage/supplements.htm

Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums have large flower heads in white, yellow or pink, and they can be quite helpful with pests in the garden. Some varieties have been made into a tea for use as a pesticide to kill root nematodes and repel Japanese beetles.

Insecticidal uses[edit]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysanthemum

Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum [or Tanacetum] cinerariaefolium) is economically important as a natural source of insecticide. The flowers are pulverized, and the active components, called pyrethrins, which occur in the achenes, are extracted and sold in the form of an oleoresin. This is applied as a suspension in water or oil, or as a powder. Pyrethrins attack the nervous systems of all insects, and inhibit female mosquitoes from biting. In sublethal doses they have an insect repellent effect. They are harmful to fish, but are far less toxic to mammals and birds than many synthetic insecticides. They are not persistent, being biodegradable, and also decompose easily on exposure to light.Pyrethroids such as permethrin are synthetic insecticides based on natural pyrethrum.

Dahlias
Dahlias grow flowers with a variety of shapes and colors, making them a popular choice for flower gardeners. They’re said to also repel nematodes, making them both beautiful and useful in your vegetable garden.

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/dahlias-herbs-58683.html

 Growing dahlias and herbs in the same area can significantly reduce or eliminate insect damage and keep unwanted small animals away as well.

Four O’Clocks

Four O’Clock flowers will attract and kill Japanese beetles, making them an excellent bait flower to place near your vegetable gardens. These flowers are also poisonous to pets and people too however, so take care to choose safe locations if you choose to plant these.

http://gardeningwithcharlie.com/grow-four-o-clocks.html

Lavender 
Lavender is an excellent general pest repellent flower to use in your garden. It repels both fleas and moths, and it can help protect other plants near it from whiteflies. *** Lavenders attack white flies, the white flies damage Lavender Plants****

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, flies and mosquitoes. Lavender has been used for centuries to add a pleasantly sweet fragrance to homes and clothes drawers. Although people love the smell of lavender, mosquitoes, flies and other unwanted insects hate it.

Marigolds
The marigold is probably the most well known plant for repelling insects. French marigolds repel whiteflies and kill bad nematodes. Mexican marigolds are said to "bug" many destructive insects. Marigold flowers come in scented and unscented varieties, with the scented ones are best used for pest deterrents. And while this plant drives away many bad bugs, it also attracts spider mites and snails.   http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2010/06/02/effective-biological-pest-control/

Marigolds' greatest claim to pest control fame is their effect, documented in numerous studies, on nematodes, which are a kind of worm that in some cases is destructive to plants.

Like other members of the daisy family, marigolds also do their share in feeding nectar to beneficial insects, such as syrphid flies, who prey on aphids and other insects that attack garden plants. Members of the daisy family do not yield nearly as much nectar as flowers of the parsley family — dill, for instance — but daisy family flowers keep the nectar flowing longer.

Other beneficial effects of marigolds are less dramatic or useful. They have been shown to have some slight effect in repelling cabbage worms from cabbage and their kin. And some marigolds, especially a variety called Stinking Roger, repel flies, except that the flies are the kind that bother cows and other domestic animals, not plants.

Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums planted near tomatoes and cucumbers can fight off aphids, whiteflies, squash bugs, and cucumber beetles. The flowers, especially the yellow blooming varieties, act as a trap for aphids.  http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/isabells_blog/nasturtium-natural-antibiotic.html

Nasturtiums are good companion plants. They excrete a strong pungent essence into the air and soil, which has been found to deter aphids, white fly and root pests; and the essence secreted into the soil is also absorbed by other plants, helping them to resist attack by pests and disease. Plant nasturtiums between cabbages, broccoli, melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, potatoes, and around fruit trees.

Aphid Spray: nasturtium leaves (infused in boiling water, cooled, strained, and with a little liquid soap added) are used as a spray for aphids on vegetables and other plants.

Petunias
Petunias can repel asparagus beetles, leafhoppers, aphids, tomato hornworms, and others.

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/planting-petunias-as-a-companion-plant-in-your-garden#b

Petunias and Organic Pest Control

Petunias are ideal as companion plants because they are nature’s version of a pesticide. They repel a variety of pests including the asparagus beetle, leafhoppers and tomato worms. They are also effective against some types of aphids and Mexican bean beetles.

Some of the plants that thrive when you plant petunias as companions include brassicas, beans, basil, tomatoes, grapes, corn and peppers. Roses also fare well when this natural insect deterrent is planted in proximity.

Protecting Your Vegetable Harvest

The brassica family includes broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts and cauliflower. When planting with broccoli or cabbage, petunias will increase the likelihood of you getting a good harvest because they trap cabbage worms. These “worms” are in fact a species of caterpillar that will eat through an entire crop if left unchecked so the best, organic method for you to control these pests is to plant petunias in your cabbage beds.

Tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and tobacco are part of the same family and are susceptible to the same type of pests such as aphids, hornworms, cabbage loopers, Japanese beetles and weevils. Planting petunias or geraniums among your crops will either distract or repel these pests from your harvest plants.

Protecting Grape Vines

Grape vines attract a large variety of pests from aphids, mites and moths, to nematodes. Certain nematode species attack grape vine roots, which lead to stunted growth because the nutrient and water absorption cycle is affected. Companion planting around grape vines of petunias will protect your grapes from most of these pests and guarantee better vigor and health for your plants. 

Companion planting is the best way for you to control pests in your garden naturally and cleanly. Commercially available pesticides contain chemicals that cannot be considered beneficial to your health.

Sunflowers
Sunflowers might be the largest flower you have in your garden, and what a better beacon to say "come on over" to beneficial pollinators. I've heard that they can draw aphids away from other plants.

http://farmersalmanac.com/home-garden/2012/06/11/sunflowers-to-the-rescue/

The sunflower is one of many plants that are now known to aid in “phytoremediation,” a process that employs various types of plants to remove, transfer, stabilize, and/or destroy contaminants in the our soil, water and air. Compared to other cleanup methods, such as soil excavation or pumping polluted groundwater, phytoremediation has become a clean, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to reclaim and reuse land that has been tainted by poisonous chemicals and heavy metals.

The saga continues......Keeping a Journal........Agriculture laws

Note: If you are trying to be responsible and do the right thing by gardening, raising chickens etc. It's possible you will have trouble from government officials or neighbors. "A lawyer" will tell you to keep a "Journal" of every incident so you can defend yourself if necessary. We blog to Journal, help others, let the people be the judge, (for they are rightful government), and to encourage people to not give up or give in to bully's, government KGB/terrorist. You are not alone, join groups like the Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fundhttp://www.farmtoconsumer.org/, Urban farming.org, http://www.urbanfarming.org/and there are several others, form you own group like God's Lit'l Acre. It takes very little time with big impacts!

          With any government official their goal is to keep the peace "not" for individuals but peace for the "big guys"... the companies and corporations who run the government since most revenue comes from business interest. Don't ever be fooled by the "nice smile" of a government employee, behind those smiles are evil intentions, they are there to destroy your freedoms that come from God.

ugh... well Happy Birthday Michelle from your favorite neighbors, who again, have contacted the county in an effort to eliminate one (or all) of our agriculture structures. Last "red sticker" we received was in the middle of August. We put out a sign explaining our rights with the sticker attached...

We took down the signs and then suddenly the sticker appeared again... ha... it says "possible building without permit, please call to set up a time for us to come inspect..." or something to that effect) So... we've already spoken to the county and we've been cleared 4x... this is getting tiresome but you know you're doing something to make the devil mad when he keeps using people to come at you. We have one theory which is, our big gray building got a HUGE tear right in the top of it about a week ago. We've been trying to contact the company but they went out of business. (go figure).

 We bought the polytunnel from Menard's which said we must contact them by mail..ha... in order to see if they will honor the warranty. Sooo, in the mean time. I came up with what I thought was an ingenious idea, that that was to drape an inexpensive large tarp over it and tie it down to keep things dry in there. Good news: IT WORKED!! Bad news? It seems our temporary fix has awakened the beast in our neighbor to complain again... ( county is only coming out based on complaints)... guessing.. a yes, this is just an educated guess, that mr. tip toe to see into your back yard neighbor has made yet another phone call because well, that polytunnel is giving him a heart attack.

Thank you to all our WONDERFUL neighbors who don't even notice our ag buildings and if you do, you love them!!! smile emoticon We truly don't put up buildings on a whim to anger neighbors!! However, a wall of black bags filled with leaves might be in order....now that will be pretty! ha!

Agricultural Activities in Ohio can be Exempt from Local Zoning

Peggy Kirk Hall, Asst.  Professor, OSU Extension Agricultural & Resource Law Program

Spring brings an increase in agricultural land use activity and with it comes a surge of inquiries about Ohio’s agricultural zoning laws.  Here at OSU, we repeatedly hear a common question from agricultural landowners and local zoning officials:  can zoning regulate this agricultural situation?  That’s a question without a short and simple answer.   A review of Ohio Revised Code sections 303 and 519, which contain the “agricultural exemption” from county and township zoning authority, is the first step toward understanding whether a county or township can regulate an agricultural land use (note that different laws apply for cities and villages).   Here’s a summary of Ohio’s agricultural zoning laws:

Agriculture is exempt from rural zoning authority in many, but not all, situations.   While Ohio law grants counties and townships the authority to utilize zoning, the law limits how much authority these local governments have over agricultural land uses.  Generally, a county or township may not prohibit the use of any land for agricultural purposes in any unincorporated area, with a few exceptions that are noted below.  This exemption applies in any zoning district, whether residential, industrial, commercial, agricultural or otherwise.

An exempt activity must be in the definition “agriculture.”   Ohio agricultural zoning laws apply to “agriculture,” which the law defines to  include:  farming; ranching; algaculture; aquaculture; apiculture; horticulture; viticulture; animal husbandry, including, but not limited to, the care and raising of livestock, equine, and fur-bearing animals; poultry husbandry and the production of poultry and poultry products; dairy production; the production of field crops, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, nursery stock, ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees, flowers, sod, or mushrooms; timber and pasturage.  “Agriculture” also includes activities involving the processing, drying, storage, and marketing of agricultural products if those activities are conducted in conjunction with but secondary to actual production of those products.

Agricultural buildings and structures can also be exempt from zoning authority.   If a building or structure is directly related to an agricultural activity on the same parcel of land, then Ohio zoning law does not allow a county or township to require a zoning certificate or prohibit the construction or use of the building.  For example, local zoning cannot require a zoning permit or prevent the construction of a barn being built for housing cattle or storing farm machinery that is used for farming on the same property.  Also, zoning may not regulate or prohibit any building or structure that is used primarily for vinting and selling wine that is located on land where grapes are grown.

Special rules for farm markets.  Ohio law also says that local zoning cannot prohibit the use of land for a farm market in any industrial, residential, commercial or agricultural zoning district if 50% or more of the market’s gross income is from produce raised on farms owned or managed by the farm market operator.   But where necessary to protect public health and safety, local zoning may regulate the size of the farm market building, parking area size, set back lines and access to the market.  This provision is commonly known as the “farm market 50% test.”

Special rules for on-farm energy production.  Several energy production activities are not subject to local zoning if they occur on land qualified for CAUV (Current Agricultural Use Valuation).  These activities include biodiesel, biomass energy, electric and heat energy production, as well as biologically derived methane gas production of less than five megawatts.

Some agricultural activities can be regulated by local zoning.  There are a few exceptions to the agricultural exemption.  Local zoning may regulate agriculture in the following situations if the parcel of land is five acres or less andis located in a platted subdivision containing 15 or more lots:

• On a lot that is one acre or smaller, zoning may prohibit or regulate all agricultural activities.
• On a lot between one and five acres, zoning may regulate set back lines, height and size of buildings used for agriculture and may prohibit or regulate dairying and animal/poultry husbandry if 35% or more of the lots in the platted subdivision are developed.

Unfortunately, a summary of the zoning statute doesn’t answer all questions about agriculture and zoning.  Look for our future articles for continued analysis of Ohio’s agricultural zoning laws.  For additional zoning information, also see our zoning library, here.

The Saga with Mr. Nosy Neighbor Continues!

We try our Hardest!
Our neighbors are such a blessing
Each time this happens we get stronger and closer to God
We understand more about
 "The Freedoms this Country affords the American People"
Rejoice with us today. Appreciate your Nosy Neighbors Day!

      Today the "Clermont County Healthy Department" shows up. Because for 3 months our neighbor has been calling the Healthy Department claiming our grape Arbor and other things are a "Health Hazard".  A Grape Arbor?

      Our Family has been on this land since the 1930's over 80 years.  He has been here 2 years?!@#$%
 
 

       This land has had chickens, cows, and other animals plus farming since our great Uncle Charles Henson moved here!  Laws must be consistent. If they told our uncle not to farm then they can tell us not to farm. The government told him, encouraged him and supported his farming. We have every right to walk in his footsteps and carry on his work.

      We are the boss. It's called Seniority!  We are Grand Fathered in! Literally!

       The government needs to be with us because in 80 years no one has ever complained about us! We have earned the respect due to us in years of no complaints!  We have earned the trust and respect of  this community. It proves our neighbor is the one breaking the law! Falsely accusing us.

 

       He is the "newby", the "rookie" in town. On my side of town; trust, respect, believing you are telling the truth has to be earned over time!

       Hopefully soon our neighbors will produce  copies of the complaints made against us and explain why the government violated our legal rights countless times in harassing us.



  
     

     The world breaks us and puts us in a zoo. We act like zoo animals waiting to be fed and paraded around for others to stare at us. This is why everyone is so self-conscience always worried about what others think about us.  There are a lot of flies and mosquitoes at the zoo. Those pesty little things spread immorality, corruption, sickness, especially in public school. Human beings spread bad things. William Penn said to make sure you spend your time with God and don't have many friends. Why?

1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)

33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Break out of the zoo! Be a free animal, wild again! 
Farming: There is a life, a power, a feeling that only comes from God when you do everything for yourself. It's being an adult. 

     When you are a child, 1-5 years old, you have to depend on others to do things for you. As long as you need others to do things for you, you will always be a child inside "needy", "dependent on others". 

This is the LIFE!

       When you grow your own green beans, grow your own potatoes, kill your own animals for meat, then you have become an adult. Able to do what God has called you to do. God equips, enables, gifts, and strengthens you to be an adult, a child of God but not a child of this world. People in the world need people to do everything for them because they never grow up.

Homeschooling is very American!

     God has given all of us responsibilities like raising our children. It's our responsibility, no one else's. Schools are not gifted by God to raise your children. God anoints, ordains, equips and empowers us to do it.

4 generations on the farm.

     


  God calls us to take care of our parents when they are older. Nursing homes are not gifted by God to do this the child of the parent is!





Jesus came to give us Life, more abundantly. He was talking to farmers, peasants. Not to the Wealthy or Rich.

John 10:9-11 (ESV)

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Remember God sent Jesus to die for your sins so he can bless you.

Leviticus 26:3-13New American Standard Bible (NASB)

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3 If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out, 4 then I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce and the trees of the field will bear their fruit. 

5 Indeed, your threshing will last for you until grape gathering, and grape gathering will last until sowing time. You will thus eat your food to the full and live securely in your land. 6 I shall also grant peace in the land, so that you may lie down with no one making you tremble. I shall also eliminate harmful beasts from the land, and no sword will pass through your land.

 7 But you will chase your enemies and they will fall before you by the sword; 8 five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall before you by the sword. 9 So I will turn toward you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will confirm My covenant with you. 10 You will eat the old supply and clear out the old because of the new. 11 Moreover, I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you. 12 I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.

13 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you would not be their slaves, and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.