| Growing organic fruits and vegetables in your own | | | | and spray on plants leaves (make sure you get both |
| garden is certainly a rewarding experience. You insure | | | | sides and avoid spraying on flowers!) |
| the produce you grow is chemical-free and as healthy | | | | Cabbageworms and spider mites - Mix 2 tablespoons |
| as possible. The alternative is to purchase produce | | | | salt in 1 gallon of water and spray on affected plants. |
| from a market or farm along with the unknowns of | | | | As an alternative to spot treatments after an |
| what chemicals were used to treat and grow the | | | | infestation has already occurred, you can use a |
| produce. | | | | general repellent instead that is applied as a |
| Maintaining the delicate balance of your organic | | | | preventative measure at regular intervals throughout |
| garden's ecosystem is the best way to keep your | | | | the growing season. A recipe for one such treatment |
| plants healthy and insect-free. When that balance is | | | | is provided below. |
| upset and insects become a problem, the need for a | | | | General Pest Repellent |
| pesticide may arise. Choosing between a homemade | | | | - 1/4 cup of hot red peppers (red pepper sauce |
| remedy and a commercial pesticide is a hard choice | | | | works well as a substitute) |
| for an organic gardener. It goes against every belief | | | | - 1/4 cup of fresh spearmint (look in your produce |
| you had about your organic garden. It was supposed | | | | for fresh herbs or grow your own!) |
| to be a chemical-free environment. Why would you | | | | - 1/4 cup horseradish, both root and leaves (prepared |
| actually put chemicals into your garden? It's a valid | | | | horseradish doesn't work as well) |
| question. | | | | - 1/4 cup green onion tops |
| If you identify the insect and prepare and apply the | | | | - 1 tablespoon of liquid detergent |
| recommended pesticide correctly, a homemade | | | | Grind the spearmint leaves, horseradish, onion tops |
| remedy can be as effective, and in most cases, | | | | and peppers together with enough water to cover |
| significantly cheaper, than a commercial pesticide. | | | | everything in a blender or food processor. Strain the |
| Consequently a homemade pesticide is usually the | | | | solution and add the liquid to half-gallon of water with |
| safer bet and logical first choice for an organic | | | | the detergent. Store the mixture for a few days in a |
| gardener. You can control the ingredients in the | | | | cool place and then spray on affected areas. Outside |
| mixture and avoid anything that you may not prefer | | | | use only. Re-apply once every two weeks or sooner |
| to apply to your plants. In the event the homemade | | | | after a heavy rain or watering. |
| remedy does not work, you can always follow up | | | | It is important to note that the effectiveness of any |
| with a commercial pesticide at your discretion. | | | | home remedy, preventative or otherwise, will depend |
| For as many pests as there are out there ready to | | | | on the type of pest you are trying to control and |
| feed on your precious plants, there are an equal | | | | the severity of the infestation. |
| number of homemade remedies to control each of | | | | Considering all of these factors may seem a bit |
| these insects. Some remedies, quite frankly, just | | | | overwhelming and stressful. However, if you are |
| aren't practical. (for example, there's one that | | | | successful in keeping the harmful garden insects in |
| requires you to collect dead bugs and blend them into | | | | check, you will be rewarded by your garden with |
| a smoothie!) | | | | some of the freshest, healthiest produce on earth. |
| Two Homemade Remedies For Common Garden | | | | Please never forget one of the most important |
| Insects | | | | things about your garden. You planted it because |
| Aphids, whiteflies and other soft-body pests - Mix a | | | | gardening is fun. |
| few drops of mild dishwashing detergent with water | | | | |