Eatwell Farm

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Broccoli

We're pleased not to find aphids on the broccoli and cauliflower this year. I believe, this is due to the cold spell and the rain that we've had this winter. It is very difficult to control aphids organically inside broccoli or cauliflower heads. Every material used relies on contact with the bugs. I do not spray anymore pesticides, but I did have a very sophisticated sprayer that allowed me to spray a fine mist, which did a good job in the past. The only problem was that you needed to spray every week, which becomes tiresome and expensive. Even organic sprays will kill the good guys and the bad guys, which is why we don't spray anymore. Over the last six years, since my sprayer broke, we have seen a much reduced pest population and many more of the good guys and gals. As always, let us know if you find any aphids. Washing well in slightly salty or soapy water does a good job of removing them from the head, just rinse well afterwards.