Maintaining a Naturally Healthy Garden – the Natural Way
Posted: Tuesday, August 30, 2005
by lorien1973
Online Discount Mart Home & Garden Decor
I cringe whenever I see people stalk around their yards thoughtlessly spraying harmful chemicals. Destroying beautiful and beneficial butterflies, ladybugs, praying mantis, dragon flies, bees – and even birds – right along with the aphids, slugs, ants, and mites they seek to rid their gardens of. In addition, our natural resources and human health are also put at risk by these chemicals. How very sad!
Why rob our yards of the happy buzzing sounds of busy bees gathering nectar, or the sight of colorful gossamer wings fluttering from flower to flower, pollinating as they go? There is a more practical means of maintaining healthy plants in gardens, safely and naturally.
Before discussing natural methods of safely ridding the garden of harmful insects, insect relatives, and diseases, let’s give thought to preventative measures. Not just when planting, but before purchasing plants, as well.
Plants have natural defenses that help to protect them against infestations. These natural defenses become handicapped when other factors add undo stress to the plant, making it vulnerable to attack. Factors that can add undue stress to plants include insufficient sunlight, too much sunlight, too much moisture, too little moisture, and attempting to cultivate plants not adapted to the area.
When selecting plants for your garden, take into consideration the type of soil you have, and the amount of sunlight the garden area receives. Consider where you live and select only plants appropriate to that zone. Also consider each plant’s unique needs, such as nutrients and watering.
Once plant selection has been made, give thought to the location of the garden best suited for each plant. If one area of the garden receives a lot more sunlight than another, plants that easily withstand full sun should be planted there. Plants that grow taller should be placed to the back of the garden, with smaller growing plants near the front. When planting, leave adequate space between each plant. Many plants spread out as they grow. Over crowded plants are more susceptible to disease because air circulation between the plants is hindered.
Other factors that decrease risk of disease or infestation include growing a diversity of plants, adequate soil nutrients, and rotating crops from year to year in vegetable gardens.
Once plant selection has been made and the garden planted, check your garden often to catch any problems early – before things gets out of hand.
Following is a list of safe, natural methods of maintaining a healthy garden in an environmentally friendly way:
Instead of spraying weeds, pull them by hand.
Hoe the earth in your garden between plants to eliminate weeds.
Keep your plants free of slugs by grinding up eggshells and sprinkling them around the base of each plant. Another method to keep slugs at bay is to sprinkle powdered ginger around plants ginger will have to be reapplied after rain.
A tin can with its ends removed, placed around stalks of plants, to a depth of about 1 ½ inches in the soil, will deter cutworms.
Planting mint, garlic, basil, chives, dill, onions, or marigolds in and around your garden will help to deter many types of pests.
Hose down plants and shrubs with plain water or a very mild solution of water and detergent to rid them of aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites be careful not to damage flowers or buds.
Pull off and discard infested leaves.
Make your own bug spray by mixing one part crushed hot peppers with four parts hot water. Let sit strain when cooled. Spray infested plants early morning, or late afternoon avoid spraying plants in the hot mid afternoon sun. Be sure and protect eyes and skin.
If insect infestation is more pronounced, another home remedy is to soak 10 cloves of chopped garlic in about 2 cups mineral oil for one day. Strain and use as is, or dilute with water. Use selectively as this solution also repels beneficial insects.
Many pest problems can be resolved by attracting insectivores such as songbirds, bats, amphibians, praying mantis, hornets, ladybugs, and commercially sold “nematodes" (microscopic worms that prey on grubs and other pests).
Following the above advice on plant selection, placement within the garden and upkeep will help insure healthy, pest and disease free plants. And remember. A garden well kept by routine weeding and care will be more pest resistant than one poorly maintained.
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