Even if you want a beautiful garden, you don’t always want to use chemicals. Fortunately, chemical fertilizers are not the only solution to promote plant growth. And to keep unwanted pests out of the garden, it’s the same: no need for pesticides! Sometimes a good spray works, but it is not always enough.
When you want to protect your garden or vegetable garden ecologically or treat an infestation by a harmful insect pest, there are fortunately plenty of ecological methods to adopt. Here are some gardener’s tips and natural remedies based on plants and other natural products that you will quickly adopt against harmful pests in the garden or vegetable garden!
Contents
1) Olive oil
If you have a problem with aphid pests, a mixture of water and olive oil sprayed on your plants will be enough to protect them. It will also feed them. On the other hand, this solution is not suitable when temperatures are too high (over 30°), reserve it for spring or slightly cooler days.
2) Nettle
Few people like it, yet you can make a practical nettle slurry against aphids and other insects. Fill a large plastic tub with rainwater (if possible) and put the nettles in it to soak (if you have a net full of freshly picked nettles, that’s better). Leave to soak for three to four weeks. Slip the strained liquid into a spray bottle and spray it on the plants. This plant is an elicitor. They reinforce the immunity of plants, stimulate their growth, help them to mobilize against aggressions.
3) Garlic
Aphids, whiteflies and other pests are ruining your life? Create a solution with 10 chopped garlic cloves infused in 700 ml of hot water, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil and a few drops of dishwashing liquid to this mixture.
4) Coffee grounds
If creepy crawlies are in your sights and you can’t stand the sight of snails, slugs or ants wandering around your plants, repel them by sprinkling coffee grounds at the base of your plants. This will also displease the cats that come to do their business in your garden without invitation!
5) Absinthe
Boil 1 kg of dried wormwood leaves in 1 liter of water for half an hour. Let the mixture stand for 24 hours and then spray plants attacked by caterpillars, aphids, whiteflies… twice a month.
6) Beer
Slugs and snails are particularly fond of certain plants? Friend gardener, put every two days a container of beer near these same plants. These creatures will drown in it and leave the plants alone.
7) Citrus peels
Tired of aphids? Every 4 to 7 days, test this mixture to kill any aphids present and keep others away. Infuse citrus peels in boiling water and place in a spray bottle to spray on and under leaves.
8) Sulfur and lime
If temperatures do not exceed 32°, do not hesitate to spray sulfur or lime on fruit trees and shrubs or on rose bushes to fight fungus.
9) Black soap
Do you notice a proliferation of red spiders and aphids on your plants? Mix 1 liter of water and 30 g of black soap to spray on the targeted plants. It’s radical.
10) Rubbing alcohol
Tired of aphids and mealy bugs? Make a solution of 250 ml of water and 250 ml of rubbing alcohol for the leaves. First test on a leaf to see if there is any yellowing or browning of the leaf. If it does not react badly, repeat the application 3 times, every other day.
11) Baking soda
To fight small pests and plant fungi, make a mixture of one liter of water and 10 to 20 grams of baking soda. Then add 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil and mix well. You can then spray it on your plants.
12) Tobacco
To keep aphids away, soak cigarettes (about a pack) in water for a whole day and then filter. Spray the flowers with this water.
13) Comfrey
In the same family of elicitors, you can also chop eight large comfrey leaves and heat them in 1 l of water until boiling. Then let the liquid macerate for 20 minutes. Wait twelve hours before using the product. You can use it pure on your plants.
14) Encourage biodiversity
Ladybugs are very cute, but also merciless with aphids that they love to eat. You can easily find larvae in garden centers that you can put in your garden. You can also opt for lacewings which will also be predators of choice. In short, beneficial insects are good for pest-free garden seeds and plantings. The natural enemies of your “enemies” are your friends!
