Natural recipes for a Pest Free Garden

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Natural recipes for a Pest Free Garden

 

A beautiful and healthy garden is possible without the use of

expensive and often hazardous chemicals. The following are a number

of natural recipes to create safe and effective deterrents to bugs,

pets and other pests. With a little effort, you'll be doing your

garden and the environment a big favour.

 

 

 

All-purpose Insect Spray

 

1 garlic bulb

 

1 tbsp cayenne pepper

 

1 quart water

 

1 tbsp liquid soap (hand soap only)

 

1 small onion

 

Chop or grind garlic and onion, add cayenne and mix with water. Let

steep 1 hour, then add liquid soap. Store in a covered jar in the

refrigerator up to one week. Use as a spray wherever insects are

causing a problem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Animal Repellent Sprays

 

Cats

 

2 parts cayenne powder

 

3 parts dry mustard powder

 

5 parts flour

 

Add sufficient water

 

Dogs

 

1 garlic

 

1 medium onion

 

1 litre of water

 

1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

 

Squirrels

 

1/2 ounce Tabasco sauce

 

1 teaspoon chili powder

 

1 pint water

 

Dash of dish soap

 

Use as a spray on the plants and yard areas where these animals are

causing a problem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traps

 

Aphids: 10 " x 10 " pieces of masonite or other stiff material, painted

bright yellow and coated with Tap Trap or Tack Trap or Tanglefoot or

pertroleum jelly, placed near susceptible plants.

 

Earwigs: Pieces of corrugated cardboard are placed near lettuce,

Chinese cabbage, flowers (plants which are attracted to earwigs).

They will hide in and under the cardboard. After a few days, collect

in the morning, crush or drown.

 

Slugs or Squash Bugs: Lay out boards near affected plants; they will

provide daytime shelter for those nocturnal pests. Inspect daily.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Recipes for Insecticides and Fungicides

 

ProblemSolutionRecipe

 

aphids, thripsStinging Nettle SprayCover 1 quart nettles with water,

cover and steep for 3 weeks, dilute with 7 parts of water.

 

aphids, June beetles, Black Spot, fungus diseasesRhubarb SpraySteep 6

rhubarb leaves in 2 to 3 quarts of boiling water.

 

chewing/sucking insects, mildew, leaf spot, rust, spore diseaseGarlic

SpraySteep 3 cloves of garlic, 1 medium onion and 1 teaspoon of very

hot pepper in 1 quart of water for 10 minutes, then strain. Can be

diluted with water 1:4.

 

chewing/sucking insectsPyrethrum SpraySteep 1 tbsp of dry flower

heads in 2 quarts of hot water. Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum

cinerariaefolium) is an attractive perennial with marguerite daisy-

like flowers.

 

white fliesMullein SpraySteep 1 part mashed mullein leaves with 5

parts of water.

 

aphids, asparagus larvae, Black Spot, scale insectsTomatoe

LeavesSteep 10 chopped tomatoe leaves and 1 chopped onion in 1/2 cup

of alcohol for a few minutes; apply with a swab.

 

spider mites, cabbage wormsSalt Solution1 oz. table salt in 1 gallon

of water.

 

mosaic disease on tomatoes and peppersSkim Milk SpraySour milk has

been used against cabbage worms.

 

potato blight, Black Spot, yellowing tomato leavesManure Tea (liquid)

1/2 commercial bag of manure or 1 mesh onion bag full of old manure

and straw steeped in 1/2 of a large plastic garbage can of water.

 

*Adapted from materials produced by the Canadian Organic Growers,

Toronto.