Earth Friendly Garden Quiz - December Winner

The answer to last week’s question: What are nematodes, and do you want them in your garden? is: Nematodes are tiny roundworms sometimes called eelworms. Traditionally considered the bane of a gardener’s existence, many nematode species are indeed detrimental, sucking sap from your plants or attacking them at the roots. But other species are beneficial. Some encourage your compost to ripen, while other control Japanese beetles, cutworms, fleas and other pests.

The pest-controlling nematodes are parasites. They enter the host insect and release bacteria that eventually kill it. If they do their job well, eventually no more hosts will remain, and the nematodes themselves will then dies off.

Control detrimental nematodes by planting resistant cultivars of your crops, rotating crops, and planting African marigolds between successive crops-the marigold roots are toxic to nematodes.

(Thanks again to The Earth-Friendly Garden Knowledge Cards for the Sierra Club for this information.)

And the winner is…….

Congratulations to Judy who was the first one each week to answer the question accurately! Donna was a close second. Judy will receive a pocket garden journal and a Chelsea Green Publishing book on water with lots of tips on how to conserve water including in the garden.

Now on to the January contest. Remember the rules to win are you must be the first person each week to answer the question accurately and be correct each week. All contest answers are courtesy of the Sierra Club’s – The Earth-Friendly Garden Knowledge Cards.

Question One-The common housefly is probably the world’s most common pest. But not all flies are detrimental. Which of the following are good for the garden?

a. crane Flies
b. robber flies
c. syrphid flies
d. tachnid flies
e. all of the above

Good luck!

The Garden Goddess
http://www.down2earthgardens.com/