Growing flowers and having a lush, fruitful garden is a delightful experience; however, trying to protect plants from unwanted and persistent pests can be very frustrating. There are, however, many practical and safe, chemical-free methods of controlling those garden pests that we commonly come across. Of course, there is always a way to have a healthy garden without the nuisances of pests, just need to be wise and some preventive actions must be taken.
Physical Barriers
The best defense is to keep the pests away from getting to the plants, and this is by physically preventing them. A common technique in crop protection is the use of ‘row covers’, these are materials that resemble a spider web and can be draped over the plant so that it shields it from pests without restricting its access to water and light. It is best to keep them moist but do not overwater them as the roots can rot, just make sure the edges of the membrane are fixed firmly using stones, garden staples or stakes. These covers are particularly important for protecting young plants from insects and birds as well as for avoiding dehydration.
For large pests such as rabbits and deer, build fences around the garden area to prevent the pests from getting access to your plants. Fencing should be constructed tall enough so that most wildlife cannot jump over; this means that a fence should be about 3-4 feet tall. They are cheap and can be placed at strategic positions without much difficultly. Be sure there is no opening at the bottom that an animal might crawl under. But chicken wire is used to block the access while permitting light to pass through.
Mulch Matters
Using mulch materials in the garden beds and around plants serves several pest prevention functions. Some examples of organic mulches include wood chips, barks, leaves, straw, and compost and they deprive weed of light, conserve moisture, and make it hard for insects and mice to nest. The application of mulch should ideally be spread 2-4 inches deep for maximum effectiveness. Ensure that it does not come into direct contact with plant stems and tree trunks as this catalyses rotting.
Natural Repellents
If pests cannot be prevented by barriers, the next measure is repellents by specific fragrances or surface textures which the pests dislike. Garlic, onions, chives, and oregano also repel insects due to the presence of strong smells that are sulfur content. Cut it into small pieces and soaked in water for at least 24 hours. Then filter and pour the “tea” into a sprayer for distributing it on the surfaces of the leaves. Reapply after rain. You can also place them among vegetables and the ornamental plants because they act as insect repellents.
Fine, rough and grainy materials as well as crude and rough objects can also affect large animals and repel them. Scatter the pine cones, large shells, wood ash, sand or grated in places often tread by the inmates. This makes it harder for creatures including human beings to dig and forge burrows on the surface of the earth. Another type of repellent is the use of coffee grounds and citrus peels, which have unpleasant and acidic smells, which rabbits and squirrels dislike.
Natural Predators
Another non-toxic approach involves attracting good bugs that help to reduce the number of pests. Provide insectivorous birds with birdhouses and feeders for control of insects in your compound. Grow attractive flowers to trap plant pests like ladybugs, flowers and nectar that attract lacewings, hoverflies and predatory wasps that feed on destructive garden bugs. Check if there are any natural predators, such as beneficial nematodes, which are tiny worms that feed on soil-inhabiting insects and grubs and are non-toxic to plants and pets. By releasing them in pest affected areas, it helps the natural world in a big way.
Companion Planting
The use of strategic intercropping implies using plant species that repellent or have a negative impact on specific pests. Bringing two or more attractive crops near each other but with the aroma and chemicals of the companion plants shielding these crops from pest insects while repelling the target pests. For instance, intercropping with onions, garlic or chives will keep carrot flies at bay due to repellent qualities of the former crop. Trap cropping is another good practice, where the farmer commits pest “bait” plants in a bid to attract them. Aubergines attract flea beetles away from other crops of brassicas.
Maintenance & Prevention
It is annoying and tiresome to deal with existing pests but some efforts made toward cleaning up the garden prevent pests from invading the garden in the first place. Thorough weeding eliminates other food sources and secure places that can be retrieved by insects and rodents. Clearing fallen leaves and fruits ensures that areas where pests would love to breed are removed from the plant. Changing crop rotations annually upsets pests’ life cycles for annual plantings to be in different beds.
Selling off plants with flowers by uprooting them when the season is over helps to get rid of places in the soil and on the plant where insect eggs and larvae may hatch. When using composting techniques on garden waste, it is important to follow the high heat methods in order to eliminate pathogens and weed seeds, so they do not find their way in your garden again, when you decide to use the compost again, as the enriching organic matter for your garden.
Pest prevention does entail some work the first few minutes, but when you put together several repellent approaches geared towards the pests you encounter, the focus is on creating a nearly pest-free garden. The bonus is to do all the above and maintain a pest-free landscape without the use of toxic or costly pesticides which can pose danger to children and pets.
With a little thought and the right tactics, physical obstacles, plant chemicals, and friendly species defending your garden framework, you can shaunt insect and wildlife pests humanely. This will be further crowned by spectacular vibrant green landscape to boot, and abundant yields to help you feast all through the season.