Pest Control
MAY 10, 2024
Week after week (especially now as it's getting warmer + humid-er (is that a word?)) the Q box is filled with pest-related questions.
And for good reason! These plants are our babies! Our joy! I don't want brown petals on my roses or holes in my tomatoes!
It's been on my “to-do”s to craft a carousel on this, but I keep not getting to it, so you guys are getting the inside scoop!
Don't forget, if you want to hop on The Garden Rose Crash Course waitlist (inside the course there will be a deep dive into pest control for roses, but it will be applicable across any type of garden!), all you need to do is snag this freebie!
01. Chemical Free Option:
A hose spray of water, picking off caterpillars and dropping them into a cup of soapy water, feeding them to your chickens. I'm always PRO using an option that doesn't involve spraying.
2. Organza Bags:
As evidenced here, they still might not keep out BIG pests, like squirrels, but they will keep off leaf footed bugs, and smaller pests. I usually put these on my cucumbers + tomatoe!
03. Low-Tox Sprays
If I'm going to spray, I'll do a lower-tox option first. Dawn dish soap is great for soft bodied insects like aphids. Peppermint Dr. Bronner's will make your plants taste YUCK to caterpillars. And (allegedly) increasing the brix level of your plants using unsulfured molasses can make your plants undesirable to all pests. Make sure you dilute these WELL (like a tsp per gallon)
4. Chemical Sprays
Even here, I'm looking for organic options. But beware, organic does not mean pollinator friendly. Anything designed to KILL pests will also KILL bees + ladybugs + butterflies. You've been warned.
Still have questions? The Bungalow Blooms question box is open every Wednesday!
Have an existing garden? You can book me to tend your garden here.
Need a new garden or garden update? A consult is for you. Get on my calendar!
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