Organic Pest Prevention

By Ken Hoyt

The slow arrival of Spring weather has many people putting off garden chores. The slightest promise of decent weather, or a transient break in the clouds, is accompanied by the sound of furious digging.

Anyone who's fought off persistent pests using only organic treatments is, at heart, an optimist. But by mid-summer even the most stouthearted begin stealing glances down the Bug Murder aisle at the store (Groundwater? Never touch the stuff). This year, before I taste my first bitter defeat, I'm going to try some companion planting.

It turns out fighting pests in the garden is aided by happy marriages. Some plant combos are beneficial because one repels trouble-making insects that destroy the other. Other companion plantings roll out the red carpet for good insects that act as a bad-bug SWAT team.

My pal Cheryl shared this great site, Companion Plants by Rex Research. This straightforward site also includes cautionary info about plants that make poor duos.

There's a break in the clouds... I must go!

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May 30, 2008

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About: My small business, Interior Advocate, provides design solutions for interiors. And I write about living...

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kestrel

June 03, 2008

If your pests tend to run to the larger 4 legged and furry variety consider letting there be weeds like clover and dandelions in your lawn. We've had a family of rabbits living out front for a couple of years now and they seem to go for what is in our lawns rahter than gardens. I have never seen them munch on any vegetable plants or flowers other than some Liriope during the dead of winter. For that I just sprayed deer replellant which was some form of coyote urine (nasty smelling stuff !) and they never touched them again.

Of course having an outdoor cat or two is helpful as well.

kathc

May 31, 2008

Thank you for the companion planting website! Having just planted my garden recently, it's good to know that the plant placement was (accidentally) just right! Now, I'll know exactly where to add new plants this year, and plan next year's garden layout.