How to Keep Your Garden Pest Free, The Green Way

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By glchan0
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (3 Ratings)

A garden can be very beautiful, if maintained properly.

So you want a garden or want to get your garden into shape so it will be beautiful? Worried about pests but not too big on the idea of pesticides? Here are a few helpful pointers from the green perspective.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Time
Money
Natural friends

Step 1

First of all you will want to go out into your garden and see if you already have a pest problem. Be on the look out for Japanese beetles, aphids and other pest insects on your plants. Also look for damage from larger animals such as rabbits or deer. These will help you plan a strategy to combat pests.
Step 2

Insects pest can be dealt with first. These are usually the easiest to control (notice I said control not remove) in your garden by green methods. What you want to start thinking is how would mother nature do it. You must invite some predators to dine on them. Take some pots that are either broken or small and punch a hole in them if they do not have one already. Now set this pot upside down where toads can get into it. making toad houses will help control many problem insects.
Step 3

Next encourage your insect predators. Lady bugs feed voraciously on aphids, encourage them to visit by planting things with umbrella shaped flowers. This could include cilantro, fennel, dill etc. If you can't seem to attract any commercial sold lady bugs are a great choice. Praying mantis species are also another great thing to have. Of course they also eat good insects so watch out. Other good insects to be able to identify and look for are assassin bugs, dragon flies, and parasitic wasps (these can be all be bought somewhere, or if you know what your looking for transplanted). Also spiders serve as a good choice.
Step 4

For larger animals such as deer and rabbits you will need to think outside the box. Maybe go and purchase a couple of owl look a likes. These will not only scare rabbits but other small furry creatures that like to munch on things as well. For deer you can use human hair, which has the scent of a human which keeps the deer away (works with rabbits as well).
Step 5

And there you go, a couple little tips to keep your garden pest free and green as well.

Comments

rickmac said

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on 4/8/2009 Good information. I'm going to try this in my garden this year. 5* and a rec.

baja-vince said

on 3/31/2009 We don't have many pests in baja, because most of our garden is cactus. But the toad house idea is great--I'm sending this to my son in California. Thanks.