Natural Pesticides For An Organic Garden: Gardening can help save money while providing fresh food, but it also has its challenges. From pest management to watering, organic methods are preferred. Here are natural pesticide options to benefit your body and the environment!
Thankfully, there are ways to combat pests without using harmful chemicals. Companion planting, spacing, and natural pest control methods promote a healthy garden.
The Battle of the Bug
Insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides come with various issues. Exposure side effects vary from skin irritation to breathing problems (and even death in severe cases). The impact depends on the type of pesticide and the user. Even without immediate effects, it can contaminate our food. Moreover, it seeps into the soil, water, and environment.
Some organic gardeners replace synthetic pesticides with organic ones. However, it’s important to consider the broader perspective. Our home vegetable garden is a component of the larger ecosystem. Certain insects, such as pollinators and ladybugs, benefit plants and should be preserved. Botanical insecticides may inadvertently harm these beneficial insects.
Before resorting to the natural insecticide, here are some preliminary methods to consider!
Organic Garden Pest Control: Is It Achievable?
Controlling pests in the home garden is achievable, but let me be honest… it requires effort! Nothing shatters your gardening aspirations like discovering your cabbages chewed to pieces overnight.
Step 1: Be Proactive!
Spend five minutes daily strolling through the garden, a practice known as “scouting.” Observe plants, inspect leaves, and examine the soil for indications of pest damage like eggs, larvae, or chewed leaves.
If you notice any signs of damage, take action right away. For those wishing for an organic garden, this might involve manually removing bugs by hand, even squishing them. I opt for the soapy bucket method. If you come across adult bugs or larvae feeding on your plants, pluck them off (along with the leaf they are on) and place them in a bucket of soapy water.
Hand-picking bugs and pests from the garden is not feasible on a large scale. However, by following the organic pest control methods mentioned above, you can hopefully avoid situations getting out of hand. Regular and thorough monitoring will ensure you are prepared before any crisis occurs!
Step 2: Utilize Companion Planting
Some plants have natural properties that assist in the growth of others and repel pests when planted together. Utilizing these benefits can boost garden productivity and maximize space utilization. Here are some popular companion plants:
- Basil – Basil planted alongside tomatoes enhances both production and flavor. It also benefits peppers and is believed to deter mosquitoes. I scatter basil across the garden for its pleasant scent and advantageous attributes.
- Borage – A great companion for tomatoes and cabbage as it repels tomato hornworms and cabbage moths. It also benefits strawberries and is beneficial to practically everything in the garden. I plant it throughout.
- Chamomile – A great companion for cabbage, cucumbers, onions, and all brassicas. Enhances flavor, attracts beneficial insects, and has delicate, beautiful flowers. It also makes a delicious calming tea!
- Dill – I enjoy planting cabbages, cucumbers, lettuce, and more alongside dill. Not only does it enhance flavor and repel pests, but it also aids in homemade pickle-making! Dill is additionally beneficial for attracting parasitic wasps that combat bugs such as aphids and tomato worms. Due to its size, I typically plant it at the center of my cucumber beds.
- Catnip – Planted near squash and cucumbers, it repels squash bugs and aphids. Steep the dried leaves in tea to soothe the stomach, and spray the tea on plants as a pest control spray!
- Radishes – These can be planted in various areas of the garden, including under plants like cucumbers to discourage cucumber beetles.
- Marigolds – Planted throughout the garden, these plants help prevent nematodes and repel pests. They will flower all summer as long as you keep removing the dead flowers.
- Nasturtiums – Another excellent companion flower for tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, and other vegetables. The edible flowers are perfect for adding to salads and also provide benefits to melons and squashes.
- Onions – These can be strategically planted in the garden to repel pests from cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, cucumbers, and other crops. Interplanting them with these plants can effectively minimize garden pests.
- Sunflowers – Great companions and beautiful additions to the garden. Plant near cucumbers, beans, and vining plants to serve as a trellis. These plants are resilient and function as an effective trap for aphids and other pests. Moreover, they tend to yield abundant seeds for future use.
There are numerous other excellent companion plants. Refer to this chart for additional suggestions.
Step 3: Utilize Homemade Pesticides and Repellents
Companion planting is beneficial, but if you have already planted and are experiencing pest issues, homemade insecticides can assist.
- Kelp tea can deter Japanese beetles and aphids while nourishing plants. Apply weekly before and during infestation periods.
- A garlic and hot pepper spray (see recipe below) can deter numerous garden insects and wildlife pests. It’s a cost-effective homemade solution that is safe for you during application. Apply weekly, or more frequently, for several weeks before and during infestation periods.
- Lemon balm tea helps repel squash bugs and aphids. Apply 2 or more times weekly as necessary.
- A few teaspoons of baking soda dissolved in water can aid in preventing and treating fungus and powdery mildew on plants. Use it as a preventive and immediate treatment when necessary.
Recipe for Homemade Hot Pepper Garden Pest Spray
This is my preferred homemade garden pest control spray and it is highly effective!
Author: Katie Wells
- 2-4 cloves garlic
- 4 cayenne peppers (or hotter peppers)
- 2 TBSP olive oil (or other liquid oil)
- 1 TBSP Castile soap
- 2-3 cups hot water
- Combine garlic, peppers, oil, soap, and water in a blender, then blend on high for a few minutes.
- Allow the mixture to sit in a bowl or pitcher overnight or for a minimum of 12 hours to enhance the potency of the garlic and peppers.
- Strain using a towel, cheesecloth, or strainer and store in a glass jar.
- Pour about 2 tbsp into a 16oz spray bottle (or 3 tbsp into a 24oz), then shake well to use.
- Spray directly on plants as needed. I recommend wearing gloves!
- Use as frequently as necessary for preventive and pest-control benefits.
If you prefer not to make your own, there are store-bought natural pepper sprays available, but I favor the homemade option to steer clear of the paraffin wax derived from petroleum. Nevertheless, it remains a superior choice compared to using pesticides in your garden! Remember to thoroughly wash your produce and utilize a vegetable wash as well.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a versatile solution for preventing and treating insect pests. It should be used carefully since it has a broad impact on insects. I apply DE primarily to combat slugs, snails, fleas, and insect larvae on plants, as it is particularly successful against these pests. Simply sprinkle it on plants as necessary and reapply after watering or rainfall.
I purchase food-grade DE for indoor pests such as ants and as an internal cleanse for parasites in both humans and animals. This is the specific brand we prefer.
Read Also:- Home Remedies for Mastitis That Truly Work
Homemade Soap Spray Recipes
Another natural pesticide option is to spray bugs with soapy water. Avoid using dish soap due to potential harm to plants. Choose pure castile soap instead. Opt for the type with peppermint essential oil added to repel opportunistic insects!
- For making insecticidal soap spray, use 1/4 teaspoon (or up to 1 Tablespoon) of castile liquid soap per quart of water. Apply this spray directly on insects to aid in breaking down their exoskeleton.
- You can also create a soap and oil spray blend that some believe works better than using only soap. Combine 1 teaspoon of castile soap with 1/3 cup of oil, and mix thoroughly to create your soapy spray mixture. Utilize 1-2 teaspoons of this blend for every 1 cup of water in a sprayer.
Test a small area on the plant before soaking all the leaves. Beans, cucumbers, and peas are sensitive to soap spray. This spray is effective against the following pests:
- Mites
- Aphids
- Thrips
- Scale insects
- Whiteflies
- Leafhoppers
- Mealybugs
Store Bought Natural Pesticides
If you prefer to purchase something, many garden centers offer organic pesticides. Neem oil sprays are becoming a popular choice for pest control. Derived from the neem tree, it has a lengthy history of repelling pests and combating mildew as a fungicide. Additionally, neem oil is biodegradable and does not harm birds or pollinators.
The most cost-effective method to purchase it is in concentrate form and then dilute it with water on your own. If it is not available in your area, you can conveniently purchase it online here.
Another organic option for pesticides is pyrethrum spray, a potent pesticide derived from chrysanthemum flowers. Although pyrethrum has been utilized since the 1800s, modern iterations frequently incorporate synthetic pyrethrins, the key components found in the flowers. These artificial forms possess higher toxicity levels and persist in the environment for extended periods.
Although effective and considered safe for organic gardening, there are alternative natural pesticide choices that are even safer.
Step 4: Help plants thrive with proper fertilization.
Strong plants are more resistant to unwanted bugs. Cultivating healthy and robust plants is crucial in safeguarding your garden against pests.
- Kelp tea is excellent for naturally controlling garden pests and as a foliar spray. Apply it on leaves to nourish plants (avoid spraying during hot weather). Sprinkling powdered kelp around plants can also provide nourishment.
- Nettle tea is an additional plant-nourishing choice for plant spraying. You can also directly add dried nettle leaves to the soil or compost.
- Yarrow flower tea provides additional nutrients for plants. Water your plants with it. You can also spread yarrow flowers in the garden, as they are believed to repel pests.
- Fish emulsion is a natural fertilizer that can be sprayed on plant leaves to promote growth, particularly beneficial for tomatoes. Despite its unpleasant smell, it is highly effective!
- Bone and blood meal are rich in nitrogen and highly beneficial to plants. Organic alternatives are also viable and can be advantageous if you are at ease with their usage.
Step 5: Consider using row covers.
Flying pests often target gardens as a prime location to lay their eggs, but you can prevent moths and other bugs from landing on your plants by using row covers. These floating row covers, consisting of fabric stretched over wire hoops, allow light and water to pass through while keeping out pests that may harm your crops.
Row covers are a practical solution for small gardens and can even prolong the growing season. While it’s not necessary to cover everything, focusing on crops like potatoes, squash, and cabbage can be particularly beneficial as they are more vulnerable to pests like caterpillars, cabbage moths, and cabbage worms.
Netted covers are also effective in guarding against squash borers; simply keep the covers on until the squash blossoms appear to deter these pests.
Bottom Line on Natural Pesticides:
It takes a little extra effort and planning, but it is entirely possible to garden without using toxic pesticides. The key is to be vigilant so that pests do not get the opportunity to dominate. The delicious (and nutritious!) produce you cultivate makes it all worthwhile!
Do you practice organic gardening? What are your top tips and tricks for controlling garden pests?
