Organic Gardening

GO ORGANIC 

The safest method of fertilizing, keeping weeds and bugs under control is to go organic. Infestations of Japanese beetles or earwigs can be very frustrating. Luring them into traps is far better for your garden than buying harmful sprays.

1. Buy only safe pesticides, fungicides and fertilizer. Of course you can make some of these yourself. Read the package you buy to be sure it's safe for fruits and vegetables so the bees and other beneficial bugs will not be killed by poisonous sprays. Make your own insecticidal soaps by fermenting garlic in a jar of water then strain and add some dish soap. Bugs hate the smell. Keep applying weekly or after rain.

2. Only purchase domestic class sprays as a last resort. Commercial grade pesticides are too strong for home gardens. Traps can also be set in areas where you notice a problem. Buy varieties of seeds to grow plants that are much more hardy and resistant. Also try planting the flowers that attract predator bugs. They eat the pests so you won't need to spray as much.

3. Use good cleanup habits by never leaving piles of debris on the garden; they promote fungal disease problems. Moving crops around or rotating veggies each year will help deter diseases. Get in the habit of checking for bugs and other concerns weekly. You can control them if caught early. Many crawling pests like snails and slugs don't like sharp or very rough surfaces like crushed egg shells or sandpaper. Lay some under a spot with a slug problem.

4. Bottle and plastic tub traps filled with beer or a sugar yeast mixture work too. Simply dig a small hole to sink a margarine tub in the soil next to the plant that is being attacked, place half a cup of beer or yeast mixture in the tub and check daily. Bugs like crawling earwigs, pillbugs, slugs and snails will fall in and die. The smell lures them in but they can't get out. Protective collars made from recycled plastic  tubs help keep pests and birds from eating seedlings. The best fertilizers are made from fish emulsion, composted vegetation and well rotted animal manure. Triple mix has all these combined if you want to purchase ready made to add to pots and gardens.

PLANTS  TO  LURE  BENEFICIAL  PREDATORS

 Amaranthus- will attract ground beetles

Anise, Celery, and Dandelion- lure beneficial wasps 

Camomile, Chervil, and Clover- Attract Hoverflies, wasps, and other predators 

Goldenrod- attracts praying mantis, hoverflies, and many other predators

Ivy, Mint, and Hyssop- attracts many beneficial wasps and predators 

Also useful plants like sunflowers, tansy, yarrow, marigold, and milkweed to help bring in plenty of ladybugs and lacewings. All these plants will help deter and reduce the harmful pests that feed on your vegetables and flowering plants.