Farmer Reuben texted me from the field. "You gotta get out here and see this."
I grabbed my phone and met him in the nearest field that we call the truck patch.
"Last week these collard greens had flea beatles all over them and they were devouring the leaves. I called my consultant, who recommended an organic foliar spray product which feeds the plants the nutrients that they are diffident in."
During the winter Farmer Reuben spent hours studying more about organic methods of growing vegetables in conference talks, reading and free YouTube videos of conference speakers. The main idea is that the microbial life of the soil is important because the plants feed the soil microbes and the microbes give nutrition to the plants. When plants have all the nutrition that they need, they are resistant to pests and disease.
A few days ago Reuben sprayed the nutrients on the collard greens and on Friday he was amazed how well it worked. The flea beatles were gone and all the new leaves were healthy with very few holes.
THIS VIDEO of Reuben in the field shows you exactly what he was so excited about.
This is a milestone for an organic farmer because flea beatles do so much damage to the greens by eating holes and leaving discolored spots. If Farmer Reuben can keep the plants healthy enough to resist the pests on their own then he can save the time and expense of covering them with row covers.
When you are enjoying your greens this week, think of all the researchers and farmers who are learning and sharing all this great information so your veggies are the healthiest they can be!
We'll keep farming for you!
Reuben and Tessa
