Organic Pest Control Methods That Work
Organic pest control methods can be successful enough for all crops and conditions. When you have pests eating your total income source, it's understandable that there be some skepticism. Organic gardening is more a situation of mixing and matching many different possible solutions to see which ones work. Synthetic pesticides may be dangerous to humans and the environment but they are more of sure thing when it comes to killing pests.
With planning, organic gardening can be very successful. But it is not as good when an unexpected pest arrives suddenly and is eating up a cash crop by storm. Given the importance of keeping the environment and people healthy, it should be the pest control method of choice. And, as more and more farmers and gardeners turn to organic gardening, the more proven solutions there will be to all types of pests and diseases.
Let's take a look at several organic pest control methods that work:
One of the things that can make organic gardening more successful is if you rototill everything under in the fall and then till again in the spring right before planting. Leaving dead plants on the ground over the winter can promote disease and pests can actually over-winter under them and in the soil. Tilling in the spring will also bring up any insects that are trying to stay hidden in the soil, such as slugs.
Not only can plant debris cause disease and serve as a home to insect pests, but certain mulches, such as newspaper can also get wet and do the same thing. Stick with mulches made of wood chips or straw to keep the ground clean.
Certified seed always comes with more of a disease and pest-resistance than non-certified seed. With organic gardening, you certainly don't want to take a chance on seed that is not certified.
One way of keeping all kinds of pests out of your plants, from insects to deer, it to cover the rows with mesh netting. This is the best way to keep birds from eating your berries as well. It is more costly than other methods but it definitely pays off in the long run. If you are careful, you can save the netting from year to year.
Importing insects to help kill other insects is one of the newer organic gardening trends. Now there are companies that do nothing other than raise insects to sell to gardeners and farmers. Many of these can be purchased online. Pesticides kill the beneficial insects along with the bad, while these insects cause no further harm than eliminating another pest.
Some plants can give off a scent or draw certain insects to themselves to protect other plants. That's the whole point of companion planting. Carrots can help tomatoes as can marigolds, petunias, and geraniums. Beets can be benefited by mint, catnip, and basil.
Using common household products to make insecticides is one of the ways insects are eliminated by organic gardening methods. A spray made of dishwashing liquid and water can be sprayed on many types of plants to deter pests. You can add oil to the mixture as well, or even hot spices or peppers. Spray the leaves of plants and it will keep the pests off of them.
There are many organic pest control methods and all of them are easier on the environment than a synthetic pesticide. If you want to succeed at organic gardening, and protect plant, animal and human life, make a management plan that is designed to get rid of pests in several natural ways. Organic vegetables taste great and sell for more money than one treated with pesticides.
With planning, organic gardening can be very successful. But it is not as good when an unexpected pest arrives suddenly and is eating up a cash crop by storm. Given the importance of keeping the environment and people healthy, it should be the pest control method of choice. And, as more and more farmers and gardeners turn to organic gardening, the more proven solutions there will be to all types of pests and diseases.
Let's take a look at several organic pest control methods that work:
Fall and spring rototilling
One of the things that can make organic gardening more successful is if you rototill everything under in the fall and then till again in the spring right before planting. Leaving dead plants on the ground over the winter can promote disease and pests can actually over-winter under them and in the soil. Tilling in the spring will also bring up any insects that are trying to stay hidden in the soil, such as slugs.
Keep it clean with mulches
Not only can plant debris cause disease and serve as a home to insect pests, but certain mulches, such as newspaper can also get wet and do the same thing. Stick with mulches made of wood chips or straw to keep the ground clean.
Stay with certified seeds
Certified seed always comes with more of a disease and pest-resistance than non-certified seed. With organic gardening, you certainly don't want to take a chance on seed that is not certified.
Use vegetable netting
One way of keeping all kinds of pests out of your plants, from insects to deer, it to cover the rows with mesh netting. This is the best way to keep birds from eating your berries as well. It is more costly than other methods but it definitely pays off in the long run. If you are careful, you can save the netting from year to year.
Helpful insects
Importing insects to help kill other insects is one of the newer organic gardening trends. Now there are companies that do nothing other than raise insects to sell to gardeners and farmers. Many of these can be purchased online. Pesticides kill the beneficial insects along with the bad, while these insects cause no further harm than eliminating another pest.
Tomatoes and carrots
Some plants can give off a scent or draw certain insects to themselves to protect other plants. That's the whole point of companion planting. Carrots can help tomatoes as can marigolds, petunias, and geraniums. Beets can be benefited by mint, catnip, and basil.
Organic household sprays
Using common household products to make insecticides is one of the ways insects are eliminated by organic gardening methods. A spray made of dishwashing liquid and water can be sprayed on many types of plants to deter pests. You can add oil to the mixture as well, or even hot spices or peppers. Spray the leaves of plants and it will keep the pests off of them.
There are many organic pest control methods and all of them are easier on the environment than a synthetic pesticide. If you want to succeed at organic gardening, and protect plant, animal and human life, make a management plan that is designed to get rid of pests in several natural ways. Organic vegetables taste great and sell for more money than one treated with pesticides.
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