The residual salts left behind by synthetic fertilizers, also, kills beneficial bacterias and microrganisms needed to keep an active balance in the soil and they burn earthworms.
Again, I support the information listed in the book "Good Bugs - Bad Bugs."
Plant asters, bee balms, dill, lantana, lavendars, marigolds, milkweeds, sages, and yarrow, to name a few, to attract the good guys.
Remember that fungus needs water to thrive, so minimize overhead watering.
Keep watering deep and off of the foilage, watering in the early morning (particularily, a great practice with roses).*
When I see Lady Bugs in the Garden, aphids are around. Keep an eye on how many of the Lady Bugs show up to know the level of infestation. (Nasturstiums attract aphids. When infested, remove it from the Garden. You can use uninfested, cleaned flowers in salads.)
When pruning the grape vines and butterfly bushes last week, I found several praying mantis nests. They have been relocated. (Watching a zillion baby praying mantis crawl around is very cool to watch ! I first noticed a newly hatched nest in 1976, in downtown Akron, Ohio. A lunch crowd on the Main Street sidewalk parted, like an Old Testament story, to protect them.)
Entomologists have identified nearly 1 million insects.
Less than 1 percent are considered pests to agriculture.
They pollinate, cultivate and prey.
If we provide the healthiest environment, ground up, including a diversely planted garden, we will be doing a great (and easy) service to all.
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