In our continuing effort to make our operation more “green”, we will be conducting experiments in the areas of weed control, water use, water-fertilizer runoff, and insect control.
More specifically, we will tests products called geo-disks that cover the top of the pot of a container-grown plant. The idea is to eliminate the growth of weeds with this weed mat without the use of herbicides. Two major brands are available but the one we prefer is made out of coconut husks that seems to “breathe” better for air and water penetration as well as creating a barrier to weed growth. However, experiments this year will reveal if the other disk made from a synthetic fabric, might work better.
In any case, our hypothesis is that geo disks installed on our container-grown plants will eliminate the need for chemical herbicide and will reduce watering and in turn reduce fertilizer needs because less frequent watering will mean less leaching of nutrients. In this way water will be conserved and less fertilizer runoff to creeks and streams will result.
Secondly, we are going to experiment with a disk on the bottom of the inside of the pot. This aqua disk is designed to “hold” nutrients so they do not leach away and will act to retain moisture that will later be used by the plant by capillary action as the soil surface of the pot dries. Nutrients as well as water will be stored and transferred later to the plant and again result in less water usage and less fertilizer runoff. Experiments will be conducted this year to test these aqua disks.
In the area of insect control, Dayton’s are using more and more IGR’s (insect growth regulators) instead of dangerous organo-phosphates and chlorinated hydrocarbons that are dangerous to humans, animals and the environment. One natural insecticide we use is Neem Oil that is safe to use even on food crops such as vegetable and herbs.
Neem Oil is made from an extract of the seeds of the Neem tree in India and will kill many insects such as whitefly, aphids, thrips and suppress spider mites such as the stubborn European two-spotted mite.
Dayton Nurseries now has found Neem oil in an economical package that we may sell to our customers so that they too can go “green” and not “poison” themselves and the environment with dangerous chemical insecticides.
In conclusion, we at Dayton Nurseries are on a never-ending quest for products and processes that will contribute to our goal of becoming a “greener” nursery; producing and marketing plants to beautify and enhance the environment without destroying the environment in the process.