Two questions:
Q1. If I use slug pellets (but as a border, not actually on the veg) does the veg still count as organic?
Q2. I have heard that soapy water (tap water & washing up liquid) is and "organic" way of keeping green/black fly at bay - is this true and does it count as organic if an Eco-washing up liquid is used?
...I am trying to be as organic as possible and want to make sure I get to grips with this....if anyone has any good links that is also welcomed
I guess if you get organic - animal friendly pellets then that is organic...and if you aren't using them around your veg anyhow then I guess it doesn't matter.
The soapy water one has been talked about before. I don't believe the experts mean washing up liquid when they say soft soap, they actually mean horticultural soft soap, which as I understand it, is perfectly organic.
Me, I find my boot is an organic way of dealing with slugs and snails and my fingers squish the aphids, organically friendly, but a bit yuck!
Nemaslug are organic and effective in the long run. As are the new slug pellets....
Pellets. One assumes that you are not selling your produce?
Then, since the pellets cannot affect it, it is organic as far as you are concerned? I am happy to feed all our stuff to our young.
With care, even wildlife can be protected.
Some reading...............
http://www.organiccatalog.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=61_179&products_id=1821
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/biosi/research/biodiversity/staff/wocs2.html
Wrote this before reading Dad's post.
Thanks for the replies - and in answer to the question, NO I'm not selling my produce...
...its just for the family (and also the guinea pigs to compact into compost pellets).
It was more a 'peace of mind' as I'm tryinbg to stay as organic as possible:
I have yellow Marrigolds to attract in the hoverflies, Phacalia to attract in the lacewings and I am led to believe red clover also attarcts some types of ladybirds (although I'm not convinced yet about that)...the red clover & phacalia has the added benefit of being green composts.
The soapy water gets in the green/black flys eyes - so they can see where there going and fall off the plant ;D