Pest Control

It is possible to control garden pests without using toxic chemicals that can harm the environment and may negatively affect your health.

Here are some tips for the amateur gardener:

Healthy soil is the foundation of every healthy garden. Perhaps surprisingly, good soil can prevent up to 80% of damage caused by insects because it results in healthier plants that aren't as vulnerable to pests. Make sure the dirt in your garden will provide enough nutrition to foster the growth of strong plants. Test the soil for pH level, essential nutrients, and types of organic material. Soil testing services are usually offered by your local county extension office - if not, they will have the resources to refer you to a lab that can carry out tests. Soil-testing kits are also an option.
Find out what insects have made your garden home. In one square yard of soil you will find thousands of insects - it's only the ones that ruin your plants that should be of concern. Unfortunately, the critters that cause the most damage are also the ones that breed quickly. Most people have problems with sucking insects, such as aphids and leafhoppers, and chewing insects, including caterpillars and some beetles and worms.

Inspect your garden with a careful eye to find out what insects have decided t make it their home. Inform yourself and learn how to separate the good from the bad. Visit your local library and do some research - there are many illustrated guides out there that will help you identify different insects.

Rotation of plants is another effective, natural way to keep nature's creatures at bay. Because insects usually feed on your plants and then lay eggs in the soil underneath, moving plants around every year has an advantage. When larvae emerge from the soil, they'll go for the food supply right above them - it's the most convenient. But if you rotate plantings the larvae will have a harder time discovering their food supply. A small move of only 10 feet can even make a difference. Annuals or vegetables from the same family shouldn't grow in the same location more than once every three to five years.

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