Nine Tips for Eco Friendly Garden Pest Control
Gardening expert shares eco-friendly garden pest control strategies to try out in the landscape this growing season. Spots on tomatoes, holes in hosta leaves and wilting stems mean insects and diseases have moved into the garden. “Don’t let these intruders reduce the beauty and productivity of your landscape,” says Melinda Myers, host of The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD. Working in concert with nature to prevent and control these pests will provide gardeners with a bountiful harvest and landscape filled with beautiful blooms. Myers suggests taking these eco friendly pest control measures to manage unwanted pests this season.
#1 MONITOR YOUR GARDEN:
Taking regular walks through the landscape is not only good exercise, but it will improve a gardener’s mood and any problems will be discovered earlier when easier to control. Look for discolored leaves, spots, holes and wilting. Inspect the underside of the leaves and along the stems to uncover the cause of the problem and to initiate garden pest control.
#2 IDENTIFY YOUR GARDEN PESTS:
Once a problem is discovered, identify the culprit garden pests. The local extension service, garden center or reliable internet resource can help. Once identified, plan the best way to manage the culprit and begin garden pest control.
#3 INVITE THE GOOD GUYS:
Toads, lady beetles and birds help manage many garden pests and maintain the optimum garden pest control. Attract them to the garden by planting herbs and flowers to attract beneficial insects, adding a house for the toads, and birdbath for songbirds. Avoid using pesticides and learn to tolerate a bit of damage. A few aphids or caterpillars will bring in the ladybeetles, lacewings, birds and toads that are looking for a meal.
#4 CLEAN-UP:
Many garden pests, insects and diseases can be managed and prevented with a bit of garden cleanup. A strong blast of water from the garden hose will dislodge aphids and mites, reducing their damage to a tolerable level. Or knock leaf-eating beetles and other larger insects off the plants and into a can of soapy water.
Pick off discolored leaves, prune off diseased stems and destroy. Be sure to disinfect tools with a 70% alcohol or one part bleach to nine parts water solution between cuts. This will reduce the risk of spreading the disease when pruning infected plants.
#5 ADJUST CARE:
Reduce the spread and risk of further garden pests problems by adjusting maintenance strategies. Avoid overhead and nighttime watering that can increase the risk of disease. Use a garden pest control organic nitrogen fertilizer like Milorganite which encourages slow steady growth that is less susceptible to insect and disease attacks.
#6 MULCH:
Mulch the soil with shredded leaves, evergreen needles or woodchips. This will keep roots cool and moist during drought, improve the soil as they decompose, and also prevent soil borne diseases from splashing onto and infecting the plants.
#7 NON-CHEMICAL CONTROLS:
If the problems continue, try some non-chemical options for garden pest control. A yellow bowl filled with soapy water can attract aphids, a shallow can filled with beer and sunk in the ground will manage slugs, and crumpled paper under a flower pot for earwigs are just a few ways to trap and kill these garden pests.
Or cover the plants with floating row covers. These fabrics allow air, light and water through, but prevent insects like bean beetles and cabbage worms from reaching and damaging the plants.
#8 ORGANIC PRODUCTS:
Organic products like insecticidal soap, Neem, horticulture oil and Bacillus thuringiensis can be used to control specific garden pests. And even though these are organic, they are designed to kill insects or disease organisms, so be sure to read and follow label directions carefully.
#9 TAKE NOTE:
Make notes on the problems and solutions in this season’s garden. Refer to the notes next year to insure a better job of monitoring and managing garden pests throughout the growing season. And when shopping for new plants, select the right plant for the location and choose resistant varieties whenever possible.
A little eco-friendly gardening can go a long way in creating beautiful and productive gardens.
AUTHOR: Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening for Everyone” DVD set and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV and radio segments. Myers is also a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ web site, melindamyers.com, features gardening videos, podcasts, photo galleries and monthly tips.ures to manage unwanted pests this season.