If you have had issues with the bugs who are the vegetarians in your garden, and they won this year, you may want to look into ladybugs as the eco-friendly help you need in your garden for next years crop.  It’s those pesky produce eaters that cause all the insect problems as they munch on the leaves and roots of our beloved plants and literally suck the nutrients right out of them.

As delicate and friendly as the ladybugs look, they are carnivores.  This means they eat meat and the meat they eat are those vegetarians competing with you for your fresh vegetables.  You will want to make sure you read and follow any and all instructions that come with the ladybugs.  If you don’t, they will simply fly off to find a more inviting garden.  A simple search in Google will help you find out where ladybugs can be purchased.

I have recently been introduced to the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act that was enacted during the Clinton administration.  This act protects any donor, food bank, soup kitchen, food pantry or other group helping feed those in need, from liability.  This includes any food that is donated or distributed in “good faith” by anyone.

The reason you should be excited about knowing about this act is it enables you to give your garden overflow to those in need.  In fact, fresh produce is the most difficult and most needed items for food pantries and food banks to get their hands on and to stock.

If you have ever thought you wanted to be a part of the solution and didn’t know how, here is your chance.  Contact your local food bank and find out when and where they are collecting and take and donate your surplus produce.  If you don’t have a local food bank contact Second Harvest Food Bank as it is one of the largest food banks in the US.  Happy donating!