It’s astonishing how fast we’ve evolved as a society. Science and technology move at a mind-boggling pace, yet somehow we often forget how helpful nature can be. See how Chippewa Valley Growers is putting nature to work around the greenhouse!
Amazing scientific advancements have led to an evolution in the way that plants are grown. While chemicals and pesticides rid crops of pests and increase production, they have also caused a few unintended consequences such as allergies and illnesses.
Today, we have a much better understanding of the negative impacts of harsh chemicals. And yet, we still want our crops to grow “microwave fast.” We wish for an abundant harvest that looks as perfect as the plastic fruit on grandma’s coffee table – even when it’s out of season or not native to the region.
So how in the world do we balance safety with productivity? This is where biologicals come into play.
What are Biologicals?
Biologicals use the resources nature has afforded us to combat harmful pests, boost the health of our crops, and assist in growing the yield. The process uses chemicals and live organisms found in nature – essentially reversing standard operating procedures. So, biologicals can take the place of chemicals as the first line of defense. (If needed, those chemicals can be brought in as a secondary measure.)
Remember learning about predators and prey in science class? Ah, yes, the circle of life. All living things – including pests, have a natural enemy.
For example, consider the despised cabbage moth. Terrible for your garden… but a beloved snack for a bird. Now, bringing in a flock of seagulls (the birds, not the 80’s new wave band) into the greenhouse to combat cabbage moths may be a bit on the aggressive – not to mention messy – side.
We might, instead, consider another pest such as a nematode (a small, worm-like organism found in soil but harmless to plants) to wreak havoc on the cabbage moth. Even the beloved ladybug is a heavyweight with a winning record against pests. They particularly love putting the smackdown on aphids. In fact, they can eat around 60 a day! You thought ladybugs were sweet and kind-hearted? Think again.
A Strong Foundation For Plant Growth
As much as we want to see productivity above ground, a plant’s success, longevity, and productivity are influenced by what happens below the topsoil. A solid, healthy root system offers a plant the best possibility to flourish. Increasing the root’s access to nutrients can accelerate plant growth.
A key biological in this process is a bacteria called rhizobacteria. This is not your penicillin or echinacea kind of bacteria. Think, instead, of probiotics – the good bacteria.
When applied early, these bacteria gather around the roots like chains on a tire (a snow reference in April.. too soon?) to collect much-needed nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and essential minerals.
Biologicals at CVG
Here at Chippewa Valley Growers, we are committed to making the best use of nature’s provisions in order to eliminate or, at the very least, strongly curb the use of chemicals that may be harmful to humans, pets, and the environment.
Since 2018, we’ve made significant investments to implement a full-fledged Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program utilizing the biological approach… and we continue o research new ways to advance the process. We are committed fully to using biologicals in all of our greenhouses.
The next time you stop by, ask us about biologicals. We love talking about this stuff. #plantnerds.
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