Enjoy your garden in the summer without the hindrance of pests.

Are you enjoying your garden in the summer? So are the bugs, slugs and snails…

Follow these tips for a garden free of pests and harmful chemicals…

One of the great joys of summer is the magical effect it has on your garden. Unfortunately, bugs also tend to enjoy the feast.

Here’s how to keep your garden pest-free this summer – without using harmful pesticides:

1. Plant marigolds. They’ll add a pop of orange to your garden and will keep away the aphids (plus, they’re really inexpensive). Other plants that naturally repel insects include peppermint, garlic, chives and rosemary. Plant them where you can.

2. Put discarded eggshells to good use. Crush them and toss them over the soil – their hard edges make it difficult for snails to traverse to and fro, thus keeping them away from your plants.

Cutworm are nasty bugs that can cut off your plants’ water and mineral supply.

3. Here’s a way of repurposing old greeting cards: As you plant new seedlings, gently wrap their tender stems in a tube of cardboard. Make sure the paper sticks roughly 3cm into and 3cm above the ground. This will ensure that cutworm (nasty bugs that can cut off your plants’ water and mineral supply) can’t get to the seedlings.

4. Head to your kitchen sink.
A dash of dish soap, mixed with water in a spray bottle, is handy in protecting herbs and vegetables from pests. Spray the mixture over your plants when necessary. This trick works particularly well if you don’t plan to eat the plants’ leaves, stems or flowers. If you do, make sure you give the plants a good scrub after you’ve picked them.

Aphids can literally suck the life out of your plants.

5. Your kitchen cupboard is another useful resource.
A tablespoon of cayenne pepper or even Tabasco sauce, mixed with a spot of water in a spray bottle, is another natural way of clearing out the pests. Just wear gloves if you do your spray rounds as the hot spices might irritate your skin

Article courtesy of: www.picknpay.co.za

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