What could be more frustrating than planting a beautiful garden
fertilizing, and maintaining it only to have it eaten by bugs. Not
only are you out the time and energy it took to plant the garden,
but you’re also out the money you spent to buy the plants.
What could be more frustrating than planting a beautiful garden fertilizing, and maintaining it only to have it eaten by bugs. Not only are you out the time and energy it took to plant the garden, but you’re also out the money you spent to buy the plants.
Bug and pest control are as important to gardening as watering. However, pesticides should only be used when nonchemical controls are ineffective and pests are reaching intolerable levels.
Pesticides applied in your garden affect our creeks and lakes. Here’s why: soil, yard wastes, over-watering and garden chemicals become part of the urban runoff mix that winds its way through streets, gutters, and storm drains before entering creeks and lakes.
When gardens and lawns are over-fertilized or overwatered, fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are washed off into the city’s stormdrain system. Since storm drains are separate from the sewer system and flow directly to our creeks with no treatment – these same poisons harm birds and fish and threaten our most valuable natural resource – water.
Many effective nonchemical methods for controlling bugs, pests, and weeds in your garden exist. Consider:
Keep it clean – The first step in keeping your yard and garden free of pests is to keep it clean. Weeds, pet droppings and rotting leaves and fruit are the hiding and breeding grounds for bugs. Removing the debris from your yard eliminates one more attraction for insects and other pests. Remove moist, cool, protected environments such as wood piles, ivy or standing water.
Plan and plant smart – Discourage pests by modifying the way you design, irrigate and manage your garden. Start by handpicking and keeping your garden clean. Plant pest-resistant or well-adapted plant varieties such as native plants. Native species are not only pest resistant but they conserve water, are low maintenance, are aesthetically pleasing and are attractive to birds and butterflies.
Hang out with the right crowd – Ladybugs eat aphids. Birds, toads and spiders eat other insects. If you have an insect problem, one way to cure it is to attract natural predators to your garden. Certain plants attract birds and certain insects. If you have a plant that continually is damaged by bugs, consider planting plants around it that attract the pests’ predator.
Many plants do better when grown in presence of others. Part of this is due to the fact that several varieties of plants deter insect attacks. Marigolds deter aphids, Mexican bean beetles, nematodes, and other insects. Geranium, aster, calendula, and chrysanthemum deter most insects. Basil repels flies and mosquitoes. Mint deters ants. Or plant a trap crop. The trap crop attracts pests making them easier to control. For example, plant dill to attract tomato hornworms. Keep the trap crops in place to keep the insects preoccupied.
Try home remedies – Add 1 tablespoon of dish soap per quart of warm water in a sprayer and spray on the plant. Murphy’s Oil soap, peppermint soap, cayenne pepper, Tabasco, jalapeno juice, garlic extract are also helpful. Dilute with water and test on a hidden area of the plant first. Experiment to see what works and what is gentle on the plant.
If you must use pesticides and fertilizers in your garden, choose them carefully so that the least toxic, most effective material is used. Consider organic options, such as neem and insecticidal soaps. Read the label carefully, and follow label instructions to help you apply the product safely. Always use the suggested strength of the pesticide.
Follow the directions on the pesticide exactly. Use protective clothing and wear a mask to prevent inhalation. Keep pesticides away from children and pets. Remember, a pesticide is poison. Treat it accordingly.
Eco-Fact of the Week: If you do use pesticides, follow all instructions on the product label for proper use and be sure to store and dispose of all pesticides properly. Residents can bring their hazardous waste to the South County hazardous waste facility at no charge. This facility is open two days a month including April 30, May 1, June 4, and June 5 in the upcoming months. Please call 842-3358 for an appointment.
Eco-Web Page of the Week: Go to http://www.cleanacreek.org/nati.htm for information on the May 15 National River Cleanup event.
This week’s column was written by Emi Totschinger of the Morgan Hill Public Works Department. Emi loves helping Morgan Hill residents keep our creeks and waterways clean and pollution-free. Anthony Eulo is an assistant to the city manager for the City of Morgan Hill. He welcomes your questions, comments, and thoughts and can be reached at en*****@************ca.gov or 779-7247.
