Category Archives: Gardening How-To

Here’s an organic spray we’ve had success in using to control insect damage and blackspot on our roses. You can use just the insect spray alone or add baking soda to control disease and even liquid fertilizer to feed all in one application. Spray your roses every two weeks or after a heavy rainfall, being sure to cover the undersides of the leaves as well as the tops. Continue reading →

If you’ve ever tasted an apple or a tomato from an organic garden as opposed to the chemically enhanced and managed produce found in grocery stores, you know there is no comparison. Just as in naturally managing insects and pests around your home or person, herbs can be used successfully in keeping the bad bugs out of the garden as well. Continue reading →

In general, the use of chemically-based pesticide can create an in-balance of predatory insects to pest insects as it is not selective in its target and can compound existing problems by eliminating a particular pest’s predator. Likewise, the use of baits, traps, bags and electronic zappers intended to lure, trap and kill insects also tends to make matters worse by attracting additional pests that would not ordinarily have strayed into the target area. Continue reading →

Barring the use of a solid and impenetrable wall seven or eight feet high, nothing will keep a determined animal from roaming or browsing where it wants to. However, there are some very effective natural and low-toxic methods to gain some control. Their effectiveness may vary from season to season and between different locations. Continue reading →

We get asked all the time by people who have seen the garden, either in person or online, how we possibly maintain it without the use of chemical pesticide.With that in mind, we’ve assembled our arsenal of chemical-free ways we have found over the years and use to effectively control pests in and outside of the house and maintain the garden. A completely and totally pest-free environment is not possible, especially when you live in wooded areas. Continue reading →