I recently posted this on the American Bamboo Society's website forum:
"According to the self-named DFW resident and radio host, the Dirt Doctor, Howard Garrett, insect attacks on plants increase when good critters in the soil and immediate surroundings are not being tended to and fed, including microorganisms, worms, and other "beneficials" including insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds etc.
He is strongly against man made chemicals of any kind, because he says it interferes and destabilizes the natural systems that support the plant. The disruption in pH and wide swings in chemical composition due to introduced man made chemistry are analogous to toxicity to these supporting organisms, and that the syncytium that makes up the overall composition of these organisms is quite stable in an otherwise rich organic environment.
It is the supporting system rather than the plant itself, that should be the focus of successful gardening, according to his overall philosophy. His solutions are not gratifying to the quick results most gardeners seek in desperation, though the preventative, gradual, and long term approach allegedly offer superior results from parasitical attack and high yield to boot.
The stuff he uses includes green sand, lava sand, cornmeal, alfalfa meal, molasses, cider vinegar, orange oil, compost, mulches and other amendments which are designed to feed the system, rather than the plant. In addition, he makes suggestions of supportive plants and animal shelters that will attract or add to the overall syncytium.
Regards,
Mackel in DFW"
http://bambooweb.info/bb/viewtopic.php? ... 876#p38876P.S.- Do I get a brownie point Mr. Garrett.