046 – Ants and aphids Fruit trees

What this episode covers

Paul and Jocelyn are visiting Whip & Kelley in Big Fork Montana. He was asked to help solve an infestation problem on an apple tree. Paul sees a lonely apple tree with a deer proofing wire cage and a strawberry plant. ants and aphids were everywhere on this tree and the signs of aphids were clear on the underside of the curled leaves (aphid infestation). Ants love to eat aphids , but are bad. Paul suggests diatomaceous earth and a generous amount of it when it’s good and dry. The permie solution is planting a guild vs a solo fruit tree. Paul’s #1 plant to add is comfrey then he suggests dandelion as well as alfalfa. He recommends about a dozen different plants including edibles. This polyculture of plants will bring in a host of insects and nature will balance itself. The sole tree demonstrates the evils of monoculture planting. Relevant Threads Ants Farming Aphids Dandelion With Fruit Trees Comfrey Credit: Mariane Cicala You can discuss this podcast on this thread at Permies. Get all of the podcasts in convenient, giant zip files

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