Tips from the Garden: Pest Control for Organic Gardening

submitted by Jim Segal

After the effort spent preparing your soil, planting, and tending your garden plot, it can be disappointing if you have yield loss due to insects and other pests.

Much has been written about effective techniques for organic garden pest management. Here is a top 10 list of tips and topics to consider as you develop your own strategy.

1. Companion Planting
   Some plants either disguise themselves, or send out repellants which protect other plants.  For example, plant marigolds near tomatoes or squash to protect them from insect infestations.

2. Crop Cover 

   Agribon and other floating row covers allow light, air and water through, while protecting seedlings and young plants from insects. If plants are not a self-pollinating variety, remove the cover when plants flower, so they can be pollinated

3. Diatomaceous Earth
   Sprinkling this all-natural product on the soil around plants, or a light dusting on infected leaves of eggplants and squash, is effective to desiccate some insects and slugs

4. Neem Oil Solution
   A solution of this natural plant-based oil acts as both a natural pesticide and fungicide

5. Insecticidal Soap / Garlic Spray
   These often discourage insects through scent

6. Crop Rotation
   Crop Rotation has long been used as a way of building up soil, but it can also break annual cycles of repeat insects, since you won’t be providing them with the same plant in the same spot over successive years

7. Add Beneficial Insects
   You can purchase and release beneficial insects like ladybugs that will control populations of pests that will harm your plants

8. Manual Removal
   If you see insects, manually remove them. This is also known as the “Just squish it” method. 

9. Fencing
   To discourage rabbits, you can use chicken wire. To prevent mice and voles, create a barrier using ½ inch wire hardware cloth

10. Healthy Plants
    Plants that have enough sunlight, air, optimal level of moisture, and well prepared soil with organic nutrients will be stronger and more naturally resistant to insects. Keeping your plants as healthy as possible is one of the first defenses against infestations.

You can easily find a lot of information on each of these topics on the internet or at the library.   

Happy Gardening!