Protect Plants Without Pesticides
Connect with local gardeners to determine the most common problems in your region, then look for organic fixes. Many pest control solutions can be concocted from household items:
- Garlic and cayenne pepper can be used to deter pesky aphids.
- Used coffee grounds make a great fertilizer for plants that thrive in acidic soil, like rhododendrons or azaleas. Sprinkle coffee grounds and eggshells around the base of plants to repel ants (who can exacerbate an aphid problem), snails, and slugs.
- Before you apply organic treatments, be sure to research their effect on beneficial insects like ladybugs.
