For immediate release but not later than Oct. 31, 2009

Information contact: Judy Buehler – (613) 326-0106;

Beneficial insects in the garden

By Judy Buehler

Rideau Valley Field Naturalists

Insects. Those nasty little critters that chew up all your veggies, not to mention all your favourite flowers just as they are about to bloom. Not all insects are nasty, and Organic Gardener Maureen Bostock will explain this to the Rideau Valley Field Naturalists and guests at their meeting on Sunday, Nov. 1.

Maureen has been farming organically for more than 20 years, first in Northwest British Columbia and more recently near Balderson. She is the author of ‘Growing Potatoes Organically from Market Garden to Field Crop’, which was published in 2008 by Canadian Organic Growers.

For market gardeners, pest control can be a make it or break it challenge and many organic farmers are beginning to recognize the important role that native species of insects can play in supporting the health of our plants. Maureen’s presentation will focus on the principles of organic farming and what organic growers have learned over the past 25 years about the role of beneficial insects in pest control.

Whether you’re a market gardener, a ‘for the love of eating your own veggies’ gardener, or a field naturalist with no garden at all, this lecture is sure to be of interest.

The RVFN meeting is open to everyone and takes place at 2 p.m., Sun. Nov. 1, in the All-Purpose Room at the Perth and District Indoor Swimming Pool on Wilson Street at Sunset Boulevard. There is a small admission fee of $5.00 for non-RVFN members.

For more information about the RVFN, contact Judy Buehler at 326-0106.