Identifying and combating crop-destroying insects and diseases in vegetable gardens
In a nuclear winter, our University of Minnesota educator, Marissa Schuh, decided to get a bit quirky with her integrated pest management (IPM) lessons. Instead of the usual props, acrylic paint, and pipe cleaners were put to good use during those chilly winter and spring months.
One crisp May day, Schuh sat on the cold, hard floor of a modest classroom at the Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center in north Minneapolis, facing an array of fake cabbages. Having filled her presentation to the Farm at the Arb apprentices with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, she moved on to the practical component of the lesson.
"We're honing our detection skills of potential pest issues," Schuh declared, gesturing at the vibrant cabbages, "since we can't scout in the field for a couple more months."
A twist on art class: disease and insect pests
Schuh scoured the web for these pieces of her ersatz cabbage farm, then used art supplies to depict different plant diseases and pest damage.
She aimed for a visually engaging tool that’d help people grasp what they should lock onto. "I slapped some paint on these cabbages to mimic symptoms of various diseases and, for added flair, added some pipe cleaner caterpillars to showcase pest infestations," Schuh shared. "I teach a lot of first-time farmers, and many of them haven't even grown more than a garden-sized plot at this point."
"Our apprentices are sent to one of four sites for the growing season," said Madeline Carter, apprenticeship instructor at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. "They will assist in identifying plant pests and diseases, and we'll employ the continuum of IPM intervention strategies to make eco-friendly decisions regarding the health of our crops and growing areas."
The lowdown on cabbage-based learning
The apprentices circled up, investigating the cabbages. One cabbage bore holes that Schuh had either poked or burned into its leaves, while another displayed dark spots mirroring typical diseases. They consulted guides on the University of Minnesota website for answers.
Scouting is vital for effective pest management. "The sooner you spot a problem, the simpler it is to deal with it," Schuh explained. "Scouting entails predicting future issues, not just reacting to what's currently present."
"The sooner you spot a problem, the simpler it is to deal with it. Scouting involves anticipating future issues, not just reacting to what's currently present."
Apprentice Dalia Macias, having a botany degree but seeking hands-on horticultural crop management experience through the Farm at the Arb program, picked up a cabbage. "This one has a leaf spot disease," she observed, pointing to a dark blotch.
"Bingo," Schuh affirmed, encouraging critical thinking. "What might cause that?"
"Moisture, perhaps?" another apprentice guessed. They mulled over other possibilities, then inspected the next cabbage, considering various pests and diseases.
"Diseases can remain dormant until later in the season," Macias noted. "We need to be proactive and recognize the telltale signs early."
Permission is granted to news media to republish our informative articles, crediting the University of Minnesota. Images may be republished as well, provided you check for specific photographer credits and any limited use restrictions in the photo title[1][2][3].
[1] https://extension.umn.edu/yard-garden/managing-insects-fruit-and-vegetable-gardens#:~:text=Insect%20pests%20can%20cause%20many,are%20attracted%20to%20these%20plants.[2] https://extension.umn.edu/yard-garden/why-good-soil-helps-control-diseases[3] https://extension.umn.edu/yard-garden/keeping-weeds-under-control-vegetable-garden
- In a creative twist to enhance understanding, Schuh used painted cabbages and pipe cleaner caterpillars to depict different plant diseases and pest infestations, providing a visually engaging tool for first-time farmers to grasp potential issues in their home-and-garden and gardening endeavors.
- Dalia Macias, an apprentice with a botany degree, observed a dark blotch on one of the cabbages, noting that it was a leaf spot disease, and emphasizing the importance of being proactive in recognizing telltale signs early to combat diseases, especially since they can remain dormant until later in the season, impacting lifestyle and home-and-garden sustainability.
