What can we do about Garden Pests and Plant Diseases?
Answer:
biological solutions: develop and cultivate more disease resistant strains. grow the varieties native to or best suited to the local climate in your area; they are 'naturally' hardier. if you can locate a predator species to the garden pest you're trying to eradicate do so, but do so carefully: you don't want to introduce exotics, which is where many of these problems began in the first place. education is important, do your homework before introducing anything which might cause a bigger headache than you have already.
microclimates: you can artificially 'vary' your plant hardiness zone by taking advantage of the landscape and architectural features already existing on your property. a shaded area, a low lying area that remains naturally moist, a sheltered hot spot against a south-facing wall... can you take advantage of these features to help 'drive off' or at least control the pests?
hard work may be necessary to physically remove some pests. ask at your local garden center what answers are best suited to your individual location and situation.
Get the pests to eat the plant..
You'd be surprised by putting a little peppermint oil and cinamon oil in a spray bottle with some water. Spray it of all of your plants. Jennifer
I let nature run its course. But I try to avoid problems by planting a variety of species and designing parts of the yard as habitat. I seem to attract enough beneficial insects, birds and lizards that I don't need to interfere. I don't loose many plants to pests. The fruit trees used to be a problem but since the rest of the yard has matured things seem to have stabilized.
I do pick off the rose leaves with rust when I have the chance, and I clean off the pruners so I don't spread the problem around.
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