Sunday, February 26, 2012

Shake it up baby!

Shaking your passionfruit vine, fruit tree or other plants will release insects off the leaves, stems and branches, straight to the feet of your hungry chooks.
So assemble the gals and give the plant a good but not too vigerous shake.
This means you’ll have less invasive insects eating the fruits of your labours, your chooks will get a yummy treat and you can avoid using any pesticides – and save money.
It’s also a good idea to do this regualry to fruit trees so any apples, peaches, pears, apricots, plums, etc that you can’t reach will fall off and your gals can have a lovely time eating then all up – this also helps prevent nasty problems like fruit fly.
Also, any invasive insects that are eating your previous harvest will get consumed by our feathered, composting friends.
Below is an image of Layne, Ledgergrrl and Philly enjoying some insects shaken from my whopping great passionfruit vine - lots of flowers but alas, too many insects and not enough fruit.