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Certain natural insecticides are great for use in your very own vegetable garden. Learn about natural insecticides that you can use in your vegetable garden with help from a classically-trained chef with experience in both world class restaurants and private dining companies in this free video clip.
Accessing a garden that is uphill or downhill in the landscape may prove difficult if a staircase is not in place. Stones create a natural staircase that blends seamlessly with the surrounding plants. For maximum stability, the stones should be as thick as the desired rise of each stair, usually between 8 and 10 inches high. Stones that are slightly wider than the desired staircase are easy to anchor to the hillside, but you can use smaller stones placed side by side. Purchase pre-cut stones from a builder supplier or quarry if you can't find the proper sized stones in…
Unsightly weeds crowd garden plant roots. The weeds thrive in the garden and steal nutrients and water. Failure to remove weeds when you notice them can result in unhealthy garden plants that may eventually die. Chemical herbicides can damage the garden plants and they often are harmful to the environment. Eliminate weeds with natural methods to keep your garden plants healthy. Continue to remove weeds as you notice them to suppress the invasive plants and prevent them from threatening your garden.
Caterpillars in the home landscape may be frustrating. Silk-spinning caterpillars may be even more frustrating as their damage is twofold. In addition to leaving sticky webbing or silk cocoons on plants and trees, some caterpillars are capable of severe defoliation. Removing these caterpillars from your garden does not need to involve harmful chemicals, and can be done safely and naturally.
The wood and oil of the cedar tree, cedrus deodora, have long been used as a natural bug repellent. Cedar wood oil is derived from cedar wood chips using steam distillation, and then sold as pure essential oils for blending custom organic bug repellents or sold to companies that make bug repellents and insecticides. Cedar oil is also sometimes known as cedarwood oil in certain products and retailers.
Though they only weigh 3 to 6 ounces at their full size, moles can cause a great deal of damage to your lawn and garden and may even enter your home. These creatures are insectivores so they may help to control the population of unwanted insects in your yard but, in doing so, they may also turn your yard into a network of unsightly tunnels. Rather than trapping or poisoning moles to control the problem, consider utilizing natural ways to keep them away from your lawn and out of your home.
A number of household products can be used to prevent your dog from doing its "business" on your deck. Before treating the area, you need to scrub it clean first. Use laundry detergent and water, and add a teaspoon of baking soda to remove the odor. After it dries, apply a homemade repellent to the deck to discourage the dog from marking the area again.
If unsightly mounds are springing up in your yard or garden, moles are likely to blame. These small animals with rodent-like features may not eat your grass or plants but their tunneling for grubs and other insects can just as easily disturb the landscape. There are some commercially available products designed to keep moles away from your yard. However, you can also get rid of them with items that you may already have around the house.
The ginkgo tree is the world's oldest living species of tree. Ginkgo biloba is the only surviving remnant from a family of trees that have been identified in fossils. The leaves are often used in herbal remedies. The roasted nuts are popular in Japan where they are known as "ginkgo nuts." However the fruit surrounding the nuts has an unpleasant odor. Many landscapers select male trees grown from cuttings for this reason. Most wild stands of ginkgo biloba have disappeared, and there is no commercial harvest of the nuts.
Squirrels are scavengers that will eat just about anything, including the corn seeds you plant in your garden. They are also territorial, so they will stick to what they have determined to be "their" section of your yard or neighborhood. Several methods can help prevent squirrels from eating what you don't want them to, including leaving out food for them, using synthetic repellents that will not harm your garden and placing smelly items like moth balls near your crops.
Small rodents often prefer gardens as a feed source. Problem rodents include mice, voles, squirrels, rabbits and woodchucks. These animals feed on plants, often doing damage before any produce is harvested. In some cases the animals can also spread diseases. Repelling the rodents is often preferred to eradication by some gardeners. Use the repellents in a rotation so the animals do not become accustomed to any one substance that will lead to the creature ignoring it.
One of the most common pests in the world is the ant. Homeowners often consider ants a problem, whether they're outdoors or inside. Unfortunately, ants are social creatures, so if there is one ant, there are always more. There are, however, several natural ways to remove ants from the premises.
Squirrels are fun to watch when they chase each other up tree trunks or nose around for last year's buried treasure, but when they start digging around in your garden and eating your flowers and bulbs, they become a nuisance. Squirrels dig up flower bulbs and feast on fruits and seeds. When marauding squirrels invade your flower garden, you do not have to tolerate them. A few simple tricks will help keep these ravenous rodents out of your garden.
Mosquitoes, black flies and other biting insects can turn outdoor activities, like picnics and cookouts, into incredibly uncomfortable situations. Fortunately, several manufacturers produce insect repellents. The majority of these repellents, however, contain the synthetic chemical DEET, which is N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide. And while the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, considers DEET safe to use -- when used as directed -- some people dislike the chemically odor associated with DEET-based repellents. Organic insect repellents represent a more natural alternative.
Squirrels are abundant in many parts of the United States. While their antics can be entertaining, the furry critters can also be a nuisance. Squirrels can damage property in a number of ways -- including chewing on wooden decks. Squirrels don't gnaw on decks because they like the taste, however. Chewing is necessary to wear down their teeth, which grow constantly. There are a number of ways you can try to deter your backyard squirrels from ruining your deck.
One of the most destructive pests that can invade your yard is the common mole. Moles can ruin your yard and garden by digging tunnels everywhere beneath the surface of the soil. The tunnels can cause the ground to soften, and even cave in areas of heavy activity. Moles will also eat the roots of garden plants, which can kill the plants without you even knowing what is happening. You can employ several methods to remove or even kill moles, one of which is to flood them out of their tunnels with a garden hose.
Synthetic chemical insecticides control garden pests but are also toxic to beneficial insects, wildlife and people. Organic gardening and sustainable farming practices view beneficial insects as part of the livestock to be fed and cared for, according to the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Harmful garden pests are removed through cultural practices such as companion planting, farmscaping and biological pest control with horticultural oil. Several steps are involved in using horticultural oil for pest removal in the home garden.
Moles can be a destructive garden and yard pests that feed on grubs living in the soil of your yard. They will also eat the root systems of plants and vegetables in your garden. You can usually see the tell-tale tunnel lines in the areas in which the moles are active. Heavy mole activity can also lead to the softening and collapse of topsoil in your yard.
Roses have a reputation for being difficult to grow, but they are beautiful flowering plants desired by many gardeners and horticulturists. They are prone to insect damage and diseases that ruin blooms and foliage and stress and kill plants. Proper care of rosebushes increases your chances of maintaining strong, healthy plants and flowers. Applications of the appropriate insect repellents at the right times are important to control infestations. Many rose pest repellents are available at local garden centers, from gardening supply catalogs and online.
Vegetable gardening at home can be enjoyable, but it can also be challenging when it comes to dealing with pests. Effective natural insecticides, safe for the vegetable garden, come in a variety of forms including botanical extracts, powders and microorganisms.
There are natural ways of discouraging rodents from entering or staying in the garden. Utilizing plant scents is one way. Another approach is treating plant material with sprays that are distasteful to rodents.
Killing ants in your garden is tricky because you need natural products that will remove the problem, without damaging any of your plants. Mixing sugar and water or using the right plants will kill the ants and keep the insects from returning.
Natural insect repellents are largely derived from plants and minerals. Generally, natural pesticides do not accumulate in soil or in the tissues of humans or animals. Though derived from natural sources, they can still be toxic to mammals and beneficial insects. The use of natural insecticides and repellents should be a last resort after preventive, cultural and other organic practices have been implemented.
Squirrels have adapted to life among humans. These little critters live in trees or in the ground and, at times, can become quite a garden pest. Your well-tended garden becomes an open buffet. They steal food from bird feeders, vegetable patches, eat fruit and nuts from backyard trees, raid your garbage, and will even eat your pet's food. Fortunately, there are many ways to naturally repel these creatures from your garden.
Cultivating a garden can be a very rewarding experience. Often, however, pesky insects can overtake your garden, making it impossible to spend your leisure time among your plants. Many people choose to employ pesticides to keep their garden pest-free, but these can sometimes have a harmful effect on yourself and the environment. There are many other, natural alternatives to keep invasive bugs out of your garden.
The rattan vine is among the oldest of the natural products used in the making of furniture today. Rattan is a vine that grows in the tropics. When heated, the vine becomes pliable and can be crafted or woven into a myriad of styles using wicker weaving techniques. When it cools, it returns to its hard natural state, making it a perfect choice for furniture. This renewable product provides a natural look and a sophisticated setting to your patio or enclosed porch. In recent years, the use of a synthetic equivalent has become popular, because it is durable and lightweight.
Dog repellents are designed to keep dogs and other animals from getting into garden beds and lawns. There are many different repellent choices to fit every budget and need. Natural repellents can be formulated from household ingredients, while commercial repellents may be more effective in the long run.
The ginkgo tree has been called a living fossil, since it is the only survivor of an ancient tree group dating back millions of years. This tree is the only living bridge between the lower plants, like the ferns, and higher plants, like the conifers. Ginkgo trees are popular ornamental plants in urban areas, and can grow up to 130 feet tall.
Gardeners may prefer to use natural insecticides to reduce the environmental impact of their garden or because they are concerned with the health risks of eating food that has been exposed to chemical insecticides. Understanding the types of insects that may attack the garden, what types of environment they prefer and any natural predators they may have can help. Certain plants may act as insect deterrents, some insects will consume the undesirable bugs, and nontoxic insecticides are all alternatives to chemical pesticides.
Gardens are a place of beauty and tranquility. They are not meant to be a home for bugs and insects that want to destroy your plants. Deal with insects easily by whipping up some homemade insecticides. Apply these to the infested areas and areas you wish to keep bug-free. Not only are these remedies easy to make and inexpensive, but they are also natural, so you don't have to worry about chemicals on your plants or in the air.
Deer avoid areas treated with repellents due to either an offensive taste or odor. Repellents can be bought or made at home. Natural deer repellents are generally most effective when there are not a large number of deer in an area. According to West Virginia University, if there is higher than a moderate amount of deer damage, property owners should consider the benefits of fencing or other deer protective strategies. However, small acreages that require only two to three applications a season may benefit from natural deer repellents for garden protection.
Your desire for a beautiful rose garden doesn't have to clash with your sense of environmental responsibility. There are a number of natural alternatives to chemical pesticides that will help you achieve lush fragrant blossoms while you maintain a clear conscience.
Horseradish is among the most effective natural insect repellents. It helps prevent insect attacks on all types of garden plants. Horseradish also is thought to help prevent some plant diseases, such as brown rot.
Slugs can cause serious damage to a garden. Treatments include pesticides based on iron phosphates mixed with food baits or metaldehyde. You can try non-chemical methods to keep the slugs out of your garden and away from your prized flowers or vegetables.
Garden moles can be persistent and annoying. They dig tunnels under your garden, damage plants, and leave tunnel openings all over the place. You may have tried to simply stomp the soil back over the tunnel opening that the mole has dug out, but typically a persistent mole will just dig the entrance open again, leaving you to figure out a better way to get rid of him.
Moles are a common problem in yards, gardens and woodlands. The mole is a burrowing animal that can wreak havoc on your lawn and garden as it "swims" under the surface in its search for grubs and earthworms and other tasty treats. You don't need to use pesticides or other dangerous chemicals to rid your yard of moles. There are natural methods to kill them. Some are more successful than others.
History is full of gardens used for the purpose of healing. Zen gardens in Japan, monastic gardens whose herbs provided the base for early medicines, soothing parks near cemeteries where families would picnic near the graves of their loved ones are a few examples of healing gardens. Today, healing gardens allow adults and children who are in crisis, whether from illness, trauma or grief, to find an oasis of peace and beauty in the midst of a turbulent, confusing and often frightening time. The creation of a healing garden for children is a challenge, and is limited only by budget…
The chemicals from garden weed killers seep into the soil and can contaminate groundwater and damage the roots of neighboring plants. Root damage causes plant loss and may decrease the harvest in vegetable gardens. You can kill garden weeds naturally through preventative gardening practices and the application of nontoxic household items. Whether the pesky weeds are cropping up in the middle of the sidewalk or building a barrier between you and your favorite tomatoes, there are ways to combat the plants without spending hours pulling each little weed from the soil.
Protecting your garden from moles in a natural way can be done by setting barriers for them, such as placing plant clothes underneath flower beds and sprinkling hot spices around the perimeter. Discourage the presence of moles with information from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.
Protect a garden from rabbits naturally by sprinkling cayenne pepper around the flower bed to discourage pests from coming near. Use strong-smelling spices to deter animals from eating flowers with plant tips from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.
Birds can be a problem. Your best friend to scare pest birds may be a rubber snake. With a dollar and a minute, you can set up a one-snake yard. With a few more dollars, you can have a variety of fake snakes glaring at those pesky birds. Try these tips to get the most benefit from fake snakes.
Naturally protecting your skin from the sun if you garden involves blocking ultraviolet (UV) radiation -- the sun's rays that cause skin photoaging. Photoaging includes wrinkles, lines, texture changes, thinning skin and discoloration, such as liver spots, according to DermNetNZ. Working outdoors in your garden can increase your risk of skin cancer. Your choice of clothing, hats and sunscreen affect the amount of protection you receive from UV radiation.The time of day you choose for gardening provides a natural method for protecting your skin from sun damage.
Many gardeners mistakenly assume that their best line of defense against garden pests is pesticides. Under normal circumstances, this simply isn't true. With proper management techniques and preventive measures, you can keep your garden free from pesky garden insects without resorting to nasty chemicals that pose a threat to the environment or compromise your family's health.
Moles are notoriously hard to get rid of, and as soon as one of these blind little insectivores moves in, you can expect to see damage throughout the yard as it tunnels for worms and grubs. Try these nontoxic ways to save your garden.
With a little effort and determination, a thriving organic garden can be yours.
