Kitchen Garden Forum

John Walker wrote:If Shorrocks's now dated findings had rocked the pesticide debate to its foundations, how come no one I've asked has ever heard of him?

Dr. Vic Shorrocks (b.1932) is a retired agricultural scientist (ex. M.G.S. and Oxford) who has worked in research (mineral nutrition of rubber trees in Malaysia) and in industry for RTZ Borax (worldwide involvement with mineral micronutrients and herbicides); in 1980 he set up and ran the Micronutrient Bureau which provided information on human, animal and crop micronutrition. He keeps a close eye on several agricultural developments including pesticides, bracken control, organic farming, GM crops and selenium.

Refer to http://pesticideinformation.eu/about/

Before we started growing our own vegetables, I bought from greengrocers and supermarkets. I tried commercially grown Organic produce and wondered what all the fuss was about regarding flavour because I could not agree that it tasted any better than inorganic produce. The only difference I noticed, was the price.

Having grown our own fruit and vegetables for the past six years, I am very much aware of the difference in taste between home and commercially grown produce....home grown is far superior...there is really no comparison.

While we try not to use pesticides etc., Like Elle, I don't hesitate to use them if it means saving my crops. I don't criticise folks who will not use anything deemed inorganic, so I don't expect to be condemned, preached to, or patronised by them either. Each to their own.

Long, wordy reports go right over my head...I can feel myself glazing over as I read...and that includes articles in KG. I would far rather read sensible, practical advice, based on years of experience, by members of this forum any day.

Cheers.

Well said Elaine, I agree wholeheartedly with all your points.

Having tried organic supermarket vegetables and been disappointed in the flavour, I was staggered at the difference when I tasted my home grown.

Pesticides etc are a last resort for me too; I think JB calls it pragmatic gardening. The whole point of me growing my own was initially to save money and have fewer trips to the market thus saving time and petrol as my 'local' shop is twelve miles away, so saving my crops is a priority.

Regards, Diane

I agree with Plum pudding, and feel it's wise to be cautious, also to learn from experience. There are natural ways to help repel pests, and a garden in natural balance of pests and predators, tends to have less problems.sometimes killing a pest kills predators too and exacerbates a problem. For me taste depends on good fertile soil and seeds bred for flavour. Research needs careful reading to evaluate anything, as figures can be manipulated to achieve desired outcomes.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5071060_natur ... lants.html

Hi Nature's Babe, glad to see you back and thanks for the link.

You are quite right when you say that there are ways of controlling pests and diseases without having to use chemicals and, for the most part, that is what I do. There are times however, when everything else has failed, that there is no alternative but to use, what my hubbie and I call, the 'nuclear option'.

Last year, having tried every organic/natural remedy we could, we ended up using a chemical spray on our young pepper plants to try and combat a serious infestation of greenfly. This is the first time I have ever had a problem that would not respond to a natural remedy. As I said previously, chemicals would always be the very last resort to save my crop.

Regards, Diane