If you’re looking to keep pests at bay in your garden, using organic garden pest control methods is a great approach. Unlike pest control techniques for your home, garden pest control requires a different set of methods. By focusing on the health of your soil, staying vigilant, and using OMRI-certified organic pest control products, you can effectively prevent and treat pest problems in your garden.
Start with Healthy Soil
The first step to preventing pests in your garden is to start with healthy soil. This will provide your plants with a strong foundation, making them less susceptible to pest problems. To maintain healthy soil, be intentional about where you source your compost, soil, and soil amendments. Choose sources that are OMRI-certified, and add compost to your soil at least once every season. It’s also important to break up the soil with a broad fork and test it if needed.
How to build healthy soil:
- Source soil, compost, and amendments from OMRI-certified supplies
- Break up the soil – you can use a tool such as a broad fork or tiller, although tillers can cause a whole different set of soil issues, if over-tilled.
- Add nutrients back to your soil at least once a year with a fresh 2” layer of compost
- Test your soil to start and then test regularly to ensure you’re giving your soil exactly what it needs
Be Vigilant and Be Ready
The best approach to organic pest control is regularly inspecting your plants. As soon as you see a sign of pest activity, you should address the situation. Your first response should be to manually remove the pests. For example, Japanese Beetles can be flicked into a cup with warm water. If you’re regularly checking your plants, you will know when it is time to bring out OMRI-certified organic garden pest control products.
OMRI-Certified Organic Pest Control Products
Your specific pest problem may require the usage of a chemical solution, and we recommend you choose an organic approach. Look for the “OMRI certification”, which is put on products that have been certified by a 3rd party for organic usage.
Some products that you may want to keep around that are OMRI certified, include:
Companion Planting Tips to Prevent Pests
Companion planting is another effective method for preventing pests in your garden. By planting certain plants together, you can naturally repel pests. For example, marigolds can be planted alongside other plants to prevent root-knot nematode eggs from developing. Other examples include chives and coriander to prevent aphids; oregano and sage to prevent cabbage moths; basil to reduce mosquito populations; and garlic and rue to prevent Japanese Beetles from munching on your rose bushes.
Organic Pest Control for Your Garden
Using organic pest control methods ensures the food you’re putting into your mouth is safe and free of harmful chemicals. By focusing on soil health, being vigilant, and using OMRI-certified organic pest control products, you can effectively prevent and treat pest problems in your garden. If you have any questions about organic pest control for your garden, feel free to contact our knowledgeable customer service team at (844) 922-7732.