If you are fond of having a beautiful garden, you must know the effort it takes to maintain one. Colorado homeowners love to have an aesthetic garden but are often troubled by invading pests. Garden pests can damage plants and ruin the space you have worked so hard to beautify. They can eat your crops and young seedlings, leading to disappointment.
Many homeowners wonder whether there is a way to build a pest-resistant garden without using chemicals. Fortunately, there is. To do that, you have to understand the principles of natural pest management. Simple techniques such as companion planting and row covers can prevent many pests that affect gardens. You can plant plants that pests dislike to deter them.
When it comes to pests, it is important to focus on prevention rather than removing them when they are already inside. Taking proactive measures is the best way to control pests. If you suspect that there is an infestation, contact a Wheat Ridge pest control company today. Meanwhile, here are some DIY steps to create a pest-resistant garden without chemicals.
Steps to building a pest-resistant garden without harsh chemicals
1.Select pest-resistant plants.
As the owner of a house with a garden in Colorado, the most basic and first thing to do to avoid pests is to select pest-resistant plants. Plants such as garlic, leeks, onions, some root vegetables like radishes, etc., can greatly resist pests. Additionally, some crops, such as the King Harry potato, have been specially bred to deter pests that you can consider.
2.Employ companion planting techniques.
Using companion planting techniques can help you deter pests in your garden. The companion planting method involves planting pest-resistant plants, such as garlic, alongside other vegetables to create a natural barrier against common garden pests. When pests smell the garlic, they will not come around your vegetables as well.
3.Take care of soil health.
If you have been gardening for some time now, you may know the importance of healthy soil for plant growth. Did you know that strong plants deter pests? Strong plants are more resilient and less vulnerable to damage by pests. You can enrich your garden soil with compost and organic materials. This way, you will be preparing your plants’ defense against pests.
4.Add beneficial insects to your garden.
Not every insect is a pest to your garden. The presence of some beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, can actually help you deter pests, such as aphids. While you cannot manually catch these insects and put them in your garden, you can attract them. Provide food sources for such insects in your garden, such as nectar-rich flowers.
5.Add physical barriers.
Using physical barriers is the most straightforward technique to prevent pests from entering your garden. You can employ row covers, netting, or garden fleece to shield your crops from insect pests, birds, and other threats.
Why natural pest control methods may be ineffective
Natural or DIY pest control methods are often ineffective, and homeowners keep wondering where they went wrong. The biggest reason these methods do not work is because they take a lot of time to get into action. You may be able to handle a mild population of pests using these methods but not an infestation or a recurring problem.
Moreover, you will never know whether every pest from your garden has been eliminated. You will always be skeptical about a few of them escaping your techniques and reaching your crops anyway. This is because natural products also do not have the potency of man-made substances that are required for the immediate and complete elimination of such pests.
Get professional pest control for your garden!
If you have pests in your garden, natural methods will only get you so far in eliminating the problem. Hire professional pest control services for peace of mind today and ensure you have a pest-free garden.