Natural Pest Control

This entry was written on Feb 06, 2010 by our Garden Guru Sheri Ann Richerson

To encourage beneficial insects to stay in your garden, avoid sprays or other types of chemicals. Many sprays, including some organic ones, can be harmful to beneficial insects (even in lower doses than recommended). Pesticides are designed to kill, which means they will likely kill every type of insect, good and bad.

When trying to eliminate bad bugs from the garden, allowing nature to take her course is the best bet. In time, the beneficial insects will eat up the bad bugs. In the meantime, if the bad bugs are damaging your plants or bothering you, remove the pests by hand or spray them with a strong stream of water from the garden hose. Pests like tomato hornworm and Japanese beetles can be handpicked easily, but always use gloves (especially for hornworms). To get rid of Japanese beetles, place them in a jar filled with soapy water. Make sure the jar's lid is secure so none of them fly back out.

Only remove pests that are causing damage. While planting sources of nectar for the good bugs will help, don't forget that their main food source is bad bugs. Without the bad bugs as a food source, the beneficial insects will leave your garden.

Composting

To save on waste and provide a nutritious soil amendment for your garden, consider making a home compost pile. This is a good way to recycle precious nutrients back into the earth. To make a compost pile that will break down quickly to form finished compost, you will need:

* Green materials, such as grass clippings, vegetable trimmings, and weeds. Green waste is high in nitrogen and helps heat up the compost pile fast.

* Brown materials, including dry leaves, straw and woody brush. Brown material is high in carbon.

* Enough moisture to keep the compost pile as damp as a wrung out sponge.

* Air to help build up more heat so that the material will decompose faster.

* A source of good bacteria to help break down the compost. A scoop of garden soil should be all you need, but you can also buy a compost activator.

Put all of your ingredients together in a pile of four to five cubic feet. A pile of this size heats up quickly in the center, reaching up to 140 degrees Farenheit. Turn your compost pile regularly to help it break down evenly.

Organic Farming Fertilizers

This entry was written on Jan 25, 2010 by our Garden Guru Sheri Ann Richerson

Organic amendments such as compost are a wonderful way to provide your plants with a slow, steady stream of necessary nutrients.

In fact, many organic farming fertilizers provide trace elements that are sometimes hard to find in commercially prepared compounds.

Even better, organic farming fertilizers such as compost, steer manure, chicken manure, cottonseed meal, alfalfa meal, kelp and liquid fish emulsion can actually improve the soil's texture and water retention abilities.

Organic farming fertilizers cause less pollution than chemical fertilizers. They are safe to use around children and pets. These fertilizers break down slowly and are not as strong as chemical fertilizers.

You may not want to use bone meal or blood meal around areas that raccoons or dogs visit, as they are attracted to the scent.

Before buying a fertilizer, organic or not, it is important to understand the numbers on the bags. Fertilizers on the market list the proportions of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), always in that order.

For example: a 21-7-14 fertilizer has 21% nitrogen, 7% phosphorus and 14% potassium, or potash.

A 5-10-10 fertilizer contains 5% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus and 10% potash.

Steer manure is typically rated 1-1-1 and is very low in plant nutrients.

The first number is nitrogen. Nitrogen is what makes your plant foliage grow.

The second number is phosphorous which is what helps your plants to bloom.

The third number, potassium, is what helps keep your plants healthy.

Always follow the instructions on organic farming fertilizers bags. Remember you can overdo fertilizers but you cannot put too much finished compost on or around your plants.

Homemade Aphid Spray

There are many recipes for homemade aphid spray. You may want to try this recipe for organic aphid spray:

1. Peel two oranges and place the peel in a pot filled with four cups of boiling water.

2. Cover the pot and simmer the orange peel for 15 minutes.

3. Turn off the heat and allow the orange peel to steep for 24 hours.

To use the aphid spray, spray it directly on any of your plants that have aphid problems.

Plant Insects

This entry was written on Jan 24, 2010 by our Garden Guru Sheri Ann Richerson

At least 90% of all pests are transported to the garden on new plants, so take time to carefully inspect new plants for signs of infestation before you leave the store. If you notice signs of plant insects, notify someone at the store, then decide whether or not you want to purchase it. Make sure to assess the damage to the plant, as some plants may have too much damage to be saved.



If you do buy the plant, quarantine it when you get it home. You can simply wash some pests away by submerging the plant under water. Some plant insects, like aphids, will be eaten by beneficial insects. Identify the pest problem and determine the best way to deal with it. For example, you purchase a rose that's covered with aphids. You also already have aphids in your garden and the red ladybugs that eat them. In this case, go ahead and plant the rose—the beneficial insects will take care of the plant insects problem for you.

Hair in the Garden

Human or animal hair is an excellent fertilizer and can be used in the garden. It is high in nitrogen and is quite beneficial to plants. However, hair is very slow to break down and may literally sit in your garden for years. Some people use human hair in the vegetable garden to help repel wild animals.

Plant To Attract Beneficial Insects

This entry was written on Jan 06, 2010 by our Garden Guru Sheri Ann Richerson

1. Planting to attract beneficial insects is one way to encourage them to come into your yard. The easiest way to do this is to purchase a package of seeds designed to attract beneficial insects. Another way is to do your research and find out what types of plants each insect prefers. If you are making a planting specifically for beneficial insects think about where you are going to put it. Look for an area where the plants could be allowed to go to seed and left stand throughout the winter. This will give the eggs the beneficial insects lay the best chance of survival. Plants such as asters, daisies and goldenrods are excellent sources of nectar for beneficial insects. These plants attract bees and butterflies in addition to be an important food source for wildlife and birds. Mint, fennel and dill are just a few of the herbs that attract beneficial insects. Most herbs are relatively pest-free making them an easy to care for addition to the garden. Many native plants will also attract beneficial insects as will a hedgerow planted with a variety of dwarf fruit trees and flowering shrubs. Once you have decided what to plant, take the time to prepare the ground. Ideally you will plant this area just once and allow it to self-seed or multiply on its own. Over time it may be necessary to divide some of the plants or sow seed of some of the annuals such as dill if they do not self-seed.

Organic Fertilizer

Organic amendments are a wonderful way to provide your plants with a slow, steady stream of necessary nutrients. In fact, many organic fertilizers provide trace elements that are sometimes hard to find in commercially prepared compounds. Even better, organic fertilizers such as compost, steer manure, chicken manure, cottonseed meal, alfalfa meal and liquid fish emulsion can actually improve the soil's texture and water retention abilities, as well.

Indoor Plant Pest Management

This entry was written on Nov 12, 2008 by our Garden Guru Sheri Ann Richerson

Indoor plants typically attract pests such as white fly, spider mites, mealy bug and scale. These pests are easy to control without the use of harsh chemicals provided you pay attention to your plants. The first step to take is to inspect the plants leaves when you water. If you see signs of spider webs, cottony looking balls or other signs of pests, take the plant to a sink or other area where water can be freely sprayed. The first step is to remove the pests by hand. You can use a Q-tip with or without a dab of alcohol on it. For scale that has a hard brown shell, use your fingernail to carefully remove it from the leaves and stems. Be sure to dispose of any pests that you remove or they will simply find their way back to the host plant. Once the pests have been removed, spray the plant with warm water. Be sure to spray the underside of the leaves as well as the stems and top of the leaves. You can submerge the plant foliage under water for a few minutes if you prefer.

Here are a few pest specific tips:

Spider mites are tiny red bugs that build a web on the plant. The best way to control spider mites is to use a solution of soapy water made by adding two drops of soap to a quart of water. Be sure to test a small area of the plant with the soap solution first to make sure there is not a problem. Should the solution cause a problem it will be easily to see, as the leaves will turn brown. Spraying a stream of water strong enough to knock the pests off the plant is another option for dealing with spider mites.

Mealy bugs are white and can look sort of like a small piece of cotton. First, remove adult mealy bugs by touching them with the tip of a Q-tip dipped into diluted rubbing alcohol. Be careful not to touch the leaf of the plant. Rubbing alcohol can dry leaves and stems up quickly. A mixture of soap and water, prepared as directed above, is an alternative to the rubbing alcohol. Either option will dissolve the protective waxy coating on the mealy bug and kill it.

White fly is a little harder to control and is best dealt with by using a combination of spraying and trapping. Yellow sticky traps can be hung above your plants. These will catch a variety of pests including white fly and gnats. A strong spray of water, on a regular basis, will eventually get rid of the white fly. White fly can be found under the leaves of plants.

Insect Prevention

When purchasing plants from a nursery or garden center, inspect them for signs of insect infestation before you leave the store. At least 90% of all pests are transported to the garden on new plants. It is a good idea to take a hard look at the leaves and stems of new plants before you bring them into the garden.

The Amazing Earthworm

The earthworm has amazing "strength" when you consider that it has the power to move stones that weigh 50 times as much as it does. Earthworms can also ingest soil and organic matter equal to the amount of their body weight each day.

In the garden, earthworms are most important for their ability to aerate the soil. These tiny creatures can help turn hard clay dirt into rich, workable soil.

Cat Litter in the Compost Bin

Some organic material should not be put in the pile. Certain organic wastes can attract vermin or carry harmful pathogens. Cat litter and cat or dog fecal matter can be dangerous additions to the compost bin.

Replenishing the Earth

If you have a garden that is used for vegetables like tomatoes, corn, squash and cucumbers, give your planting areas a rest by rotating crops. In the Fall, after harvest, rototil the planting site and lay down newspaper. Dampen the paper and cover it with several inches of compost and chopped leaves. On top of this, add three to four inches of fresh topsoil. Earthworms will help work these nutrients into the tired earth.

A second popular method of replenishing the soil is to grow a cover crop, such as alfalfa, and then rototil it into the earth.

Attracting Goldfinches to Your Garden

Goldfinches love feeding on black oil sunflower seeds, so you may want to plant a row of cheerful sunflowers near the back of your garden bed. They also really enjoy eating the seeds of the coneflower. During the winter months, supplement their diet with a feed sock filled with black thistle seeds.

Top Dressing with Compost

Try top dressing your plants with finished compost instead of digging it into the soil around the plants. Top dressing plants has several benefits, including:

* Plant roots are less likely to be burned by the nutrients in compost, since the nutrients are gradually absorbed into the soil.

* Since you won't be digging in the soil close to your plants, their roots will not be disturbed.

* The compost will act as mulch and will help retain moisture in the soil.

How to Use Less Mulch in the Garden

If you are spending more money on mulch than on new plants, you may want to simply try using less mulch. To control weeds, try placing a layer of newspaper on top of the soil before you spread the mulch. This way, you can spread a much thinner layer of mulch and still keep weeds from growing. Even better, the newspaper will eventually decompose and enrich the soil.

Hydrangea Blues

If your blue hydrangeas are looking a bit pink, they may need some aluminum sulfate. Blueberries that aren’t fruiting also need this essential nutrient. In fact, all acid loving plants, including azaleas and gardenias, benefit from an application of aluminum sulfate. This amendment also can help prevent yellowing leaves.

Weeding Organically

The key to controlling weeds organically is to use a two to three inch layer of mulch. Mulch will keep weeds from sprouting in the first place. This way, a short visit each day to gently pluck the lightly rooted weeds that have managed to grow is all you need to do to stay weed-free.

Nesting Materials Encourage Nest Building

If you want to encourage birds to nest in your birdhouse, try providing nesting materials. Fill a basket, mesh onion bag or small box with narrow grasses, fine strips of bark, thistle, burlap or milkweed. Hang the container in a sheltered location, protected from rain and cats. Your offering will be used by our feathered friends for nest building.

The Ideal Compost Pile Temperature

In order to decompose, compost must heat up. The hotter the pile gets, the faster it breaks down into compost. The ideal temperature is between 110 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

A pile will heat up naturally when the right ingredients are added. You should add several inches of brown material and then several inches of green material in alternating layers until your compost pile reaches four to five cubic feet.

If you turn the compost pile frequently, it will continue to stay hot until it breaks down. It should take about two weeks for your compost pile to be ready to be used in the garden.

Mulching the Easy Way

You can create your own free mulch with Autumn leaves. Simply rake all your leaves into a row. Lay a long tarp beside the leaves. Run your lawnmower over the leaves so that it chops them up and blows them onto the tarp. You now have instant mulch. Simply dress your flower and vegetable beds with a three to four inch layer of leaf mulch. As the leaves break down, they will add valuable nutrients to the soil.

Heavy Metal Plant

If your soil has a buildup of heavy metals in it, you may want to try planting the alpine pennyroyal. This plant absorbs large amounts of heavy metals from the soil. Although classified as a weed, alpine pennyroyal may just be a great solution to cleaning up earth that is contaminated with heavy metals.

Compost Area

To avoid potential problems, be sure to keep the area around your compost bin neat, clean and free of debris. A compost area that is not clean can harbor insects and diseases that could eventually infect your compost.

Organic Insect Control

You can make your own organic pest control spray using simple household ingredients. Before you use one of these sprays, test it twenty four hours beforehand on just a few leaves of the infected plant. If the leaves look wilted or discolored the next day, you may not want to use the spray on that particular plant. With that in mind, here are several popular organic insect control spray recipes:

* Into a 1 quart spray bottle, put 1 drop lemon dish soap, 1 capful mint mouthwash and water. Spray any infested leaves thoroughly in the early morning or late evening hours.

* Run tobacco, onion skins and garlic cloves through your blender. Pour the mixture into a gallon jar and let it age for 1 to 2 days. This recipe may be stinky, but it works fairly well.

Organic Gardens

Organic gardens are simply gardens that have plants that are grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides. Although growing vegetables and fruits organically can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, it is well worth the effort. Organic gardening is:

* Healthier for you and your family, since there is no chemical residue on organically grown produce.

* Better for the environment because there is no chemical runoff from your gardens to local waterways.

* Great for local wildlife, since many insects and birds are suffering from a buildup of pesticides in their tiny bodies.

Portable Compost Bins

If you want a more portable alternative to the regular compost bin, you may want to take a look at plastic compost bins. These bins can easily be moved around the garden from one spot to another.

Since portable compost bins are small, enclosed spaces, they really can help compost break down rapidly. A properly designed model doesn't even need to have the compost turned like traditional compost bins do.

Compost Thermometer

If you are having trouble with your compost pile, you may want to consider buying a compost thermometer. This helps you take the guesswork out of wondering if the pile is heating up properly.

Compost thermometers are also a useful way for you to tell when the temperature inside the compost pile has stabilized, which means that the compost is ready to be used.

Worm Composting

If you have a limited amount of composting space in the garden, consider worm composting, also known as vermiculture. With worm composting, you can even compost in your garage. In fact, since most people who practice vermiculture feed their worms a diet that consists mainly of kitchen scraps, the garage is a great location for these compost bins.

Garden Cleanup

You should do your best to keep your garden clean and free of debris. When you clean up your garden, you can:

* Control black spot and other rose diseases that can by spread from diseased leaves and stems that are left on the garden soil.

* Keep insects and fungi under control by removing fall leaves, which can actually provide a place for these pests to live.

* Prevent young plants from being smothered by heavy debris.

Covering Your Compost Bin

Covering your compost bin is a good idea if you want to help the ingredients break down faster. The lid will retain some of the heat your pile has generated instead of letting it all simply escape into the air. In addition, in hotter weather, covering a compost pile will help retain much needed moisture, while covering the pile in the winter can help you keep it from becoming too soggy.

Bug Begone!

The most inexpensive way I`ve found to keep bugs from devouring plant leaves is to make a solution of dish soap and water, which is sprayed on the leaves of the affected plant. The dish soap will literally make the leaves too slippery for the bugs to stay on!

Compost Containers

An attractive compost container can be made from recycled materials. One popular type of container is one that is made with four recycled pallets. If you don't have access to pallets, another method is to build four simple frames and cover them with chicken wire. Secure three of the frames or pallets into a “U” shaped structure and fasten the fourth section to the structure on one side with hinges. Add a clasp to keep the compost container closed.

Organic Fertilizers

Organic fertilizers cause less pollution than chemical fertilizers. They are also are safe to use around children and pets. These fertilizers break down slowly and are not as strong as chemical fertilizers. Some popular organic fertilizers are: fish emulsion, manure, bone meal, blood meal and kelp.

You may not want to use bone meal or blood meal around areas that raccoons or dogs visit, as they are attracted to the scent.

Cold Composting

A cold compost pile takes very little time or energy. You simply make a pile of leaves and grass clippings of about three cubic feet. Then, leave the pile alone for about a year. It will slowly decompose into a nutrient rich compost.

Should I Throw Weeds into My Compost Heap?

Unless your compost pile consistently heats up to over 140 degrees, you should avoid putting weeds that have gone to seed into your compost pile. The seeds will survive to re-infest the garden when you apply the finished compost to your garden.

Manure Tea

Manure tea is a rich source of nutrients and a great way to perk up droopy plants. To make this organic fertilizer, scoop 2 shovels full of manure into an old crock or barrel filled with water. Let the mixture brew for 2 to 3 days and then strain the tea into a watering can. Apply this liquid fertilizer to your plants.

Can You have Your Compost Pile in the Shade?

Placing your compost bin in a shady spot, requires some special consideration. In order to ensure that the pile reaches the optimum temperature of 120 degrees, you may need to use a compost activator. To help maintain the proper temperature, you will need to turn your pile more often than you would if it was located in a sunny spot. In addition, you should add green material to the compost pile each time you turn it. Even after all of these extra measures, you will probably notice that compost in a shady location takes much longer to break down.

What to Compost

Never add meat or dairy products to the compost heap. These products will not decompose properly and the compost pile will develop an unpleasant odor. Also, meat and dairy products could attract animal pests.

You can safely compost any plant based materials, such as:

* Vegetable scraps, including stems, leaves, and peelings.
* Woody plant stems, as long as they are no thicker than a pencil.
* Leaves, although too many oak leaves can make the compost acidic.
* Grass clippings, which break down quickly and help heat up the pile.
* Human hair, which contains .
* Crushed egg shells, which are a great source of nutrients, but they do decompose slowly.
* Tea leaves and coffee grounds, which can also be sprinkled directly on the soil.

Leaves in the Compost Bin

Because of their high carbon content, leaves can take anywhere from five months to two years to compost by themselves. However, leaves will compost much more quickly if they are chopped up before they are composted. You should also be sure that the moisture in the compost bin is adequate and that the pile is turned frequently to ensure a good supply of oxygen. Once they finally break down, leaves make wonderful compost.

Recycle Your Christmas Tree

Instead of dragging your Christmas tree to the curb this year, why not recycle it instead? During the long, cold winter months, you can place the tree in a secluded spot to shelter wildlife. When the weather warms, you can use a mulcher to turn your Christmas tree into pine mulch, which you can spread on your garden beds. If you don't have a mulcher, check with your local sanitation department to see if there is a program in place to mulch homeowners' Christmas trees.

Insect Infestation Prevention

If you exercise a bit of vigilance, you can control pests before they become an infestation. If you see Japanese beetles on your roses, remove them immediately. If you see a hornworm on the tomatoes, pick it off and destroy it. A few minutes of prevention every day can save you from having to use any kind of pest control.

Consumer Savvy

When you are considering organic products, be a savvy consumer. Don’t rush out to purchase the latest organic pest or disease control product without doing a bit of research. Read labels, look up information and get some input from other consumers before you make a purchase. Just because a product is labeled organic, that doesn’t make it safe.