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