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Organic Pesticides
When it comes to natural gardening and lawn care one of the most important steps is to choose organic natural pesticides. Organic natural pesticides prevent the damage to flowers and crops that are caused by insects without contributing excessive amounts of harmful chemicals to the environment. In fact, chemical pesticides not only are a threat to the environment but they are so toxic, that when used, they not only kill the intended pests, but will often harm other animals that come in contact with the substances. There is no doubt that there are times that on a large scale, gardeners and farmers must choose pesticides that have a strong degree of toxicity, or else they may face losing their entire crop, however, even in these situations, there are organic and natural pesticides that they may select from. Yet, on the smaller scale, many home gardeners prefer to bypass chemical pesticides entirely and opt for safer, natural choices.
One strategic and highly effective natural and organic pesticide
involves the use of companion planting. The basis of companion planting
is that by carefully selecting the plants and vegetables in your
garden you can naturally reduce the amount of pests that are attracted
to the plants. Some of the most popular companion plants include
cucumbers with beans, sunflowers, and corn, eggplants with marigolds,
lettuce with strawberries and carrots, tomatoes with onions, and
potatoes with beans and corn. If you would like to reduce the need
for extensive pest control in your garden, you may find that by
beginning with companion planting, you remove the need for future
pesticides.
In addition to companion planting, there are certain foods and
vegetables that are revered for their ability to naturally repel
insects and pests. This method is widely used, as it is a great
safe and effective way to repel insects while keeping your garden
free from toxic chemicals. Two of the most beneficial plants are
garlic and onions. If you crush garlics or onions and create a spray
mixed with water, you can kill many insects. Some gardeners prefer
to mix their garlic or onion sprays with a bit of vegetable oil,
as this helps it to cling to the insect. You can also add several
other ingredients to enhance your spray and repel additional insects
and animals as well. For instance, adding crushed red pepper in
a powder form to your spray will also keep rabbits out of your garden.
Some gardeners add dishwashing liquid to their sprays. However,
it is always a good idea to test any detergents that you intend
to use on an inconspicuous area of your plant before spraying. You
can create a spray with one teaspoon of your dishwashing liquid
with one cup of vegetable oil. The oil ensures that the dishwashing
liquid will cling to both the plant and the insect, ensuring that
it is effective. It is best to spray the mixture directly on the
insects and avoid spraying the plant as much as possible. By using
organic pesticides, you can rest assured that you are taking care
of your garden pests in a manner that is safe for the environment.
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