My organic gardening philosophy is to play a little defense but overall stay on the offense. Focusing on the things that are trying to score against you instead of trying to score yourself is what it means to stay on offense. And the more you put your focus on that, the better your garden will grow. And you will be so much happier.
Lets look first at how youll play defense. Your job here is to protect your garden.
The third thing that I do is nourish the affected plant. I like to say pesticides are like antibiotics from the doctor. My focus is more on giving the plant some vitamins. Compost has all the nutrition the plant needs to overcome the stress of dealing with pests attacking it.
Add a layer of fresh compost around the base of the plant and water it well. As Ill discuss further in a moment, the plant knows how to fight for itself. Its designed to fight for itself—thats in its DNA. Just make sure the plant has what it needs and give it a little vitamin boost, and it will be able to fight for itself. Youre really just here to support its efforts.
If you’ve been waiting and seen that the pest problem isn’t getting better, it’s time to launch full-on defense against the pest. You have two options: you can introduce your pests predator or you can treat with organic pesticides.
Option one is pretty fun (at least I think so). Every pest has something that likes to prey on it. Your pests have predators. When raccoons stole all of our food, a woman at the garden store told my husband to pee all over the garden to make them think a big animal like a wolf or coyote was nearby. We skipped the urine treatment but learned an important lesson: natural predators can help us in the garden.
Do a little research to find out what eats your pest in nature. One of the most common examples that most everybody knows is that ladybugs eat aphids. That being said, how can you make your garden a better place for ladybugs to live? How can you get more ladybugs to come to your space and take care of the problem for you? You could add a bird bath or bird feeder to your backyard.
This is essentially permaculture. In your small garden, it creates a small ecosystem. It gets rid of pests in a more natural way, the way nature intended.
Before I use any spray, even an organic one like castile soap, I usually try the first three steps and wait to see if nature takes care of the problem. You can use a spray or soil treatment, like diluted castile soap or garlic barrier (garlic extract mixed with water and sprayed on plants), if cutting and cleaning the plants very well doesn’t get rid of the pest. You could use Monterey Bt for really bad pest problems, but if the problem is that bad, I usually just pull out the plants that are infested, clean up the area, and start over.
Having a bug-free garden is every gardener’s dream. Bugs and insects can quickly damage plants leaving holes in leaves stunted growth, and ruined produce. However, there are many effective, natural ways to deter pests without using harsh chemicals. Here are the best tips for keeping bugs out of your garden
Use Preventative Measures
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Start by keeping your garden clean and well-maintained. Remove any dead plant material and accumulated debris, which provide breeding grounds for pests.
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Keep the area around plants free of weeds. Weeds compete with garden plants for nutrients and can harbor insect eggs.
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Maintain proper spacing when planting, Overcrowded plants are more susceptible to pests and diseases
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Rotate crops each year to disrupt pest cycles Avoid planting the same plants in the same spot season after season
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Have your soil tested and amend it accordingly. Healthy plants are more resistant to bugs.
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Check transplants thoroughly for signs of eggs or larvae before planting.
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Time plantings carefully. Some pests target plants at specific growth stages.
Use Physical Barriers
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Cover seed beds with floating row covers to keep out early season pests. Remove them once plants are established.
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Use plastic mulch to deter insects from reaching plants from the soil.
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Put up fencing around plants to stop larger pests like deer and rabbits.
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Make collars out of cardboard around plant stems to prevent cutworm damage.
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Apply sticky barrier tapes onto stems or around beds to trap crawling insects.
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Attach aluminum foil or mirrors near plants to scare away birds, squirrels, and deer. The reflected light startles them.
Apply Natural Repellents
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Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs, praying mantises, and lacewings to devour garden pests.
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Interplant with aromatic herbs like basil, garlic, onions, and chives. Their strong scents can deter insect pests.
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Make a natural insecticidal spray by blending garlic, hot peppers, and onion. Add a few drops of dish soap and spray plants.
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Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around plants and at the base. The sharp particles scratch the exoskeletons of crawling bugs.
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Apply neem oil, derived from the neem tree, on leaves. It disrupts insects’ hormonal systems.
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Spray plants with insecticidal soap containing potassium salts of fatty acids. This damages soft-bodied insects.
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Use horticultural oils that suffocate insects and interrupt their reproductive cycles. They are safe for humans and plants when used properly.
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Introduce beneficial nematodes to the soil, which prey on soil-dwelling pests like grubs.
Adjust Watering Schedules
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Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings to deter soil-dwelling larvae.
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Water early in the day so foliage dries by nighttime. Damp leaves at night promote fungal diseases.
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Avoid excessive watering and improve drainage. Standing water encourages mosquitoes and other pests.
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Set up drip irrigation or soaker hoses rather than overhead watering. This keeps foliage drier.
Check for and Remove Pests
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Physically pick off and destroy any insects you spot promptly. Check undersides of leaves.
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Apply sticky traps near plants to monitor and control flying pests like whiteflies.
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Handpick slugs and snails in the early morning and after rain or watering.
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Shake plants to dislodge aphids and mites. Follow up by spraying with insecticidal soap.
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Attract beneficial birds to gardens with feeders and birdbaths. They will eat insect pests.
Practice Crop Rotation
Rotating vegetable families in a set sequence in different areas of the garden each year helps prevent build up of pest populations specific to those plants. Here is a sample 3-year rotation:
Year 1
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Solanaceae family (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes): Plot 1
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Cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons): Plot 2
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Brassicas (cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts): Plot 3
Year 2
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Solanaceae: Plot 2
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Cucurbits: Plot 3
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Brassicas: Plot 1
Year 3
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Solanaceae: Plot 3
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Cucurbits: Plot 1
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Brassicas: Plot 2
This interrupts the pest life cycles and gives time for the soil to recover. Keep good records to follow the rotations annually.
By taking a multifaceted approach and using a combination of these organic, non-toxic methods, you can protect your garden from pests without harmful chemicals. Be vigilant, take preventative measures early, and control infestations promptly for the healthiest, most productive garden possible. With persistence and patience, you can outsmart those persistent bugs trying to feast on your garden goodies.
Organic Gardening Pest Control Means Staying on the Offense
In your garden, you’ll be on the offensive in three main ways: pruning, feeding, and supporting your plants. Youll quickly see that all these tasks are connected inside a thriving organic garden.
Here are four natural ways to get rid of garden pests in your kitchen garden. First, I want to remind you that bugs eat both healthy and sick plants. Keep calm and garden on.
Clear the Area Around the Pest-Affected Plant
Next, pick up dead leaves, weeds, and other junk around the base of your plants with your fingers or a small hand rake. One reason I don’t think you should put wood mulch in your raised garden bed is that the mulch and other things in it will make it easy for pests to hide.
Once youve removed the damaged leaves and cleaned the area, search for the pest. Pests are more likely to come out in the morning or evening, so those are the best times to do this. When it’s hot, caterpillars like to hide in the shade of your plants. At night, they come out to eat.
Check the plant’s stem, the underside of the remaining leaves, and the soil around it. These are all places where pests like to hide. If its dark, use a flashlight to help you scan up close. Remove every pest that you can find by hand. Give the plant a good, strong spray with your garden hose if you see aphids or other small bugs.
The third thing that I do is nourish the affected plant. I like to say pesticides are like antibiotics from the doctor. My focus is more on giving the plant some vitamins. Compost has all the nutrition the plant needs to overcome the stress of dealing with pests attacking it.
Add a layer of fresh compost around the base of the plant and water it well. As Ill discuss further in a moment, the plant knows how to fight for itself. Its designed to fight for itself—thats in its DNA. Just make sure the plant has what it needs and give it a little vitamin boost, and it will be able to fight for itself. Youre really just here to support its efforts.
Doing This ONE THING Eliminates 90% of PEST PROBLEMS in the Garden
FAQ
How do I keep bugs from eating my garden?
What is a natural bug repellent for gardens?
How do you keep Bugs out of a raised garden?
Here are 15 tips on how to keep bugs out of a raised garden: Use insecticides. Plant pest-resistant seeds. Install physical barriers to fend off the pests. Install insect traps. Use diatomaceous earth. Keep toads and frogs in your garden. Attract beneficial carnivorous insects. Mix nematodes into the soil. Rotate the plants you grow each year.
What are some home remedies and tips for bed bugs?
For bed bags you should disinfect the entire room or house. Wash the bedding very well and consult a specialist, it may be necessary to take more measures.
How do you keep pests away from your garden?
Here’s a method that works great: First till in organic matter like compost when the growing season begins. This will keep your soil clean by adding natural elements and compounds that help keep pests away. After tilling, cover your garden with black plastic or cardboard for 6 months.
How do I get rid of bugs on my plants?
Thyme and Places offers indoor plants and containers, a fully stocked potting bench, and tips on plants to suit your space and lifestyle. The easiest way to get rid of bugs on your plants is to simply spray your plants with water. The stream of water will remove the pest without harming your plant.
How can I Keep my raised garden free of pests?
To keep the raised garden free of pests, we have installed physical barriers, insect traps, introducing new predatory insects, making a home for toads, and so much more. As you can imagine, all of this stuff will slowly make the garden dirty, which might eventually attract pests into the area.
How do I keep mosquitoes out of my Garden?
Whether you want to keep mosquitos out of your yard or harmful pests out of your vegetable garden, there are natural ways to repel bugs that don’t involve citronella candles or pesticides. For an environmentally friendly DIY pest solution, try growing one or more insect-repelling plants.