Gardening can be a great way to save money and eat the freshest food<\/a> but also comes with its fair share of frustrations. From pest management to proper watering, there are a lot of factors involved, especially if you\u2019re using organic methods to avoid synthetic pesticides. Here are some natural pesticide options so your body (and the environment!) will thank you!<\/p>\n Fortunately, there are several ways to wage war against pests without resorting to harmful pesticides and insecticides. Companion planting<\/a>, proper spacing, and natural pest control methods help ensure a healthy garden.<\/p>\n Insecticides, herbicides, and other pesticides come with their fair share of problems. Side effects of exposure range from skin irritation to breathing problems (to death in extreme cases!) It depends on the pesticide being used and the person using it. Even if someone doesn\u2019t have any immediate side effects it\u2019s still getting onto the food we\u2019re eating. Plus it gets into the soil, our water, and our environment.<\/p>\n Some organic gardeners simply swap synthetic pesticides with organic pesticides. But let\u2019s look at the bigger picture first. Our backyard vegetable garden is a part of the overall ecosystem. Some bugs are helpful for plants (like pollinators and ladybugs) and we actually want them around. Botanical insecticides can sometimes also kill the good bugs.<\/p>\n Before pulling out the natural insecticide, here are some things to try first!<\/p>\n Controlling pests in the home garden is possible<\/em>, but I\u2019ll be honest\u2026 it takes some work! Nothing crushes your gardening dreams finding your cabbages chewed to bits overnight.<\/p>\n Take the time to walk through the garden for 5 minutes every day. This is called \u201cscouting.\u201d Look at the plants, turn over the leaves, and check the soil for signs of pest damage \u2014 eggs, larvae, chewed leaves, etc.<\/p>\n If you see any damage signs, act immediately. And yes, if you really want an organic garden, that may mean hand-picking and even squishing bugs. I prefer the soapy bucket approach. If you find adult bugs or larvae that like to munch, remove them (or the leaf any eggs are attached to) and put them in a bucket of soapy water.<\/p>\n Hand-picking bugs and other pests out of the garden isn\u2019t practical for a large-scale problem. But if you use the organic pest control steps above you\u2019ll hopefully prevent out-of-control situations. Frequent and close observation means you\u2019ll be ready before disaster strikes!<\/p>\n Some plants have natural properties that help others grow and deter pests when planted close by. Making use of these is a way to increase garden production and fit more plants into a smaller space. The following are a few popular companion plants:<\/p>\n There are many other great companion plants. Check out this chart<\/a> for some other ideas.<\/p>\n Companion planting is helpful, but if you\u2019ve already planted and are having trouble with pests, some homemade insecticides can be helpful:<\/p>\n This is my go-to homemade garden pest control spray and it works really well!<\/p>\n Author: <\/span>Katie Wells<\/span><\/p>\n Put garlic, peppers, oil, soap, and water in a blender and blend on high for several minutes.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Leave in a bowl or pitcher overnight or for at least 12 hours to intensify the effects of the garlic and peppers.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Strain through a towel, cheesecloth, or strainer and store in a glass jar.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n To use, pour about 2 Tablespoons into a 16-ounce spray bottle (or 3 TBSP in a 24-ounce) and shake well.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Spray directly on plants as needed\u2026 I recommend wearing gloves!<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Use as often as needed for preventative and pest-controlling effects.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you don\u2019t want to make your own they do make store-bought natural pepper sprays but I prefer the homemade version to avoid the paraffin wax they contain (made from petroleum). That said, it\u2019s still better than spraying your garden with pesticides! Just be sure to wash produce well and also use a vegetable wash.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Diatomaceous earth<\/a> is a good all-purpose prevention and treatment for any insect pests. Use with caution as it kills indiscriminately. I use DE mainly if I see slugs, snails, fleas, or insect larvae on plants, as it\u2019s especially effective on these. Just sprinkle on plants as needed and reapply after watering or rain. <\/p>\n I buy food-grade DE and also use it for indoor pests like ants and as an internal cleanse for parasites in humans and animals. This is the brand we use<\/a>.<\/p>\n Another natural pesticide option is simply spraying soapy water on the bugs. You don\u2019t want to use dish soap though as it can harm plants. Instead, opt for pure castile soap<\/a>. If you use the type with added peppermint essential oil it also helps to ward off opportunistic insects!<\/p>\n Test a small spot on the plant before you soak all of the leaves. Plants like beans, cucumbers, and peas do not like soap spray. This spray helps kill the following pests:<\/p>\n If you prefer to buy something more garden centers have organic pesticides available. Neem oil sprays are an increasingly popular pest control option. It comes from the neem tree which has a long history of use in warding off pests and as a fungicide to attack mildew. It\u2019s also biodegradable and won\u2019t harm birds and pollinators.<\/p>\n The cheapest way to buy it is as a concentrate and mix it with water yourself. If you can\u2019t find some locally you can get it online here<\/a>. <\/p>\n Another organic pesticide option is pyrethrum spray. It\u2019s a stronger pesticide naturally produced by chrysanthemum flowers. While pyrethrum has been used since the 1800s, newer versions often use synthetic pyrethrins, the active ingredients in the flowers. These synthetic versions are more toxic and stick around longer in the environment. <\/p>\n While it is a heavy hitter and technically safe for organic gardening, there are safer natural pesticide options.<\/p>\n Strong plants resist unwanted bugs more easily. Growing strong and healthy plants is an important step in protecting your garden from pests.<\/p>\n Many flying pests see your garden as their ideal egg-laying station! Keep moths and other bugs from landing on your plants by using row covers. Floating row covers<\/a> (fabric stretched over wire hoops) let light and water through but keep out pests who want to devour your precious produce.<\/p>\n Row covers are quite practical in small gardens and even extend the growing season a bit. It isn\u2019t necessary to cover everything, but particularly vulnerable crops like potatoes, squash, and cabbage will benefit. They help protect against caterpillars, cabbage moths, and cabbage worms.<\/p>\n Netted covers can also help protect against squash borers. Just keep the covers on until the squash blossoms come in to deter borers.<\/p>\n It takes a little more work and planning, but it\u2019s very possible to garden without toxic pesticides. The most important thing is to be observant so pests don\u2019t have a chance to take over. The tasty (and healthy!) food you grow is well worth it!<\/p>\nThe Battle of the Bug<\/h2>\n
Organic Garden Pest Control: Is It Possible?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Step 1: Be Proactive!<\/h2>\n
Step 2: Use Companion Planting<\/h2>\n
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Step 3: Use Homemade Pesticides and Repellants<\/h2>\n
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Hot Pepper Garden Pest Spray Recipe<\/h2>\n
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Diatomaceous Earth<\/h3>\n
Homemade Soap Spray Recipes<\/h3>\n
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Store Bought Natural Pesticides<\/h3>\n
Step 4: Help Plants Stay Healthy by Fertilizing<\/h2>\n
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Step 5: Use Row Covers<\/h2>\n
Bottom Line on Natural Pesticides<\/h3>\n
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