Blog

Using insecticides and pesticides does work in the garden, but it’s not the only way to do it. Natural garden pest control is another option to be considered that can take of pest problems.

No-dig gardens essentially strive to be their own ecosystem. This is the sign of the best sort of garden, one that is in tune with itself using natural pest control.

Starting with a weed-free bed and clean compost, the garden should get off to a roaring start on this front.

That doesn’t mean pests or disease won’t ever be present, but it may be minimized under these conditions. Once your garden is underway, factors may change to alter the harmony in your garden.

There is an astonishing range of things that can bring your garden plants under attack. To rectify problems, always go with the least toxic option for your garden’s sake and for your sake, starting with these home recipes:

• To discourage animals and some insects from eating your plants, combine one cup of water, 5 garlic cloves and 6 large hot peppers. Blend thoroughly in a blender, then strain into a spray bottle. Add another cup of water and spray away.
• For red spider mites, mix 4 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid in one gallon of water. Spray plants weekly until mites are gone, then monthly to stop them from returning.
• Encourage native birds into your garden with birdhouses, water baths, and native flowering vegetation. They will eat many times their own weight in insects.
• Cucumber peels on an ant route will make them go away.
• For hardshell scale insects, mix 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil, 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon mild liquid soap in two gallons of water. Spray or wipe on plants once a week for 3 weeks or until gone.
• Put beer in a shallow pan in the garden to trap snails and slugs overnight. Vinegar in a shallow pan will do the same thing.
• Salt sprinkled on snails and slugs will kill them instantly. Go out in the evening with a flashlight and salt shaker and protect your plants.
• Orange or grapefruit halves hollowed and turned upside down placed around the garden will also attract snails and slugs. Go out in the morning to shake salt on those hiding under the peel.

Use beneficial insects because these are good for the garden. They prey on the pests that ruin your plants. These would include praying mantis, lacewings, ladybugs, and others.

Each of these beneficial insects is attracted to the garden because of certain plants. Dandelions, composite flowers, carrots, celery, Queen Anne’s lace, and others will attract many of these.

Even if it’s purely a vegetable garden, flowers can be planted as well to have a full system of beneficial insects.

Also, avoid conditions in the garden that will attract pests in the first place. You don’t want wet leaves and plants. It’s better to water the soil for most plants than the actual plant itself.

Get rid of plants that already are sick or insect prone as leaving these only causes more problems for the other plants around them.