I think a thread about growing hops organically might be a good thing- a sharing of knowledge. Hopefully this would include alot of info where you've been there, done that.
I'll start with birds, grasshoppers and hops.
Flycatchers and other birds really like the trellis and wood posts for perching and hunting. They REALLY like grasshoppers and the grasshoppers can decimate your hops before you get back from a weekend away. Hummingbirds also love the wires (little feet ) and will hunt smaller soft bodied insects and hummingbirds REALLY love aphids. Both flycatchers and hummingbirds are relentless, vigorous, efficient insect hunters and to have them living in your hopyard or nearby is a MAJOR advantage. Nesting birds are even more intense hunters.
I'm lucky to live near a river, migratory flyway, and more that promotes great diversity. I made a nice organic hopyard and all the insect hunting birds moved in. What a blessing.
Now a few years back at the old hopyard, the grasshoppers came and decimated the hops and the aphids were beyond the control of the hummingbirds and failure came hard. The hopyard had no flying room for any of these birds and the planting was far too dense. It was crashing by design.
The upshot is to plan to include a diverse group of birds in an organic hopyard- it makes the difference. We also plant more than hops in the hopyard for the sake of diversity and more. It keeps it all interesting.
The diatomaceous earth you'll use won't hurt the birds either, in fact, it may just kill some lice and mites and help keep the birds healthy.
Agroecology 101-Birds
I'll start with birds, grasshoppers and hops.
Flycatchers and other birds really like the trellis and wood posts for perching and hunting. They REALLY like grasshoppers and the grasshoppers can decimate your hops before you get back from a weekend away. Hummingbirds also love the wires (little feet ) and will hunt smaller soft bodied insects and hummingbirds REALLY love aphids. Both flycatchers and hummingbirds are relentless, vigorous, efficient insect hunters and to have them living in your hopyard or nearby is a MAJOR advantage. Nesting birds are even more intense hunters.
I'm lucky to live near a river, migratory flyway, and more that promotes great diversity. I made a nice organic hopyard and all the insect hunting birds moved in. What a blessing.
Now a few years back at the old hopyard, the grasshoppers came and decimated the hops and the aphids were beyond the control of the hummingbirds and failure came hard. The hopyard had no flying room for any of these birds and the planting was far too dense. It was crashing by design.
The upshot is to plan to include a diverse group of birds in an organic hopyard- it makes the difference. We also plant more than hops in the hopyard for the sake of diversity and more. It keeps it all interesting.
The diatomaceous earth you'll use won't hurt the birds either, in fact, it may just kill some lice and mites and help keep the birds healthy.
Agroecology 101-Birds
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