1. Learn about the plants and the weeds and bugs that affect them.

2. Choose the right plants. Plant native species whenever possible.
Native plants are better protected by their own "immune systems" and
their relationships with other plants and animals in the area. You may
also look for plants that are pest-resistant.

3. Diversifying the garden with a variety of plants will help the
plants protect each other from pests. For example, small flowered
plants like daisies, mint, and rosemary attract many insects that eat
the pests. Check with a local garden shop or nursery for
recommendations.

3. Maintain healthy, fertile soil by rotating your plants, adding
compost, and mulching.

4. Plant early to avoid the worst bug season.

5. Allow growth of the pests' natural predators. Ladybugs, ground
beetles, and birds eat many pests, and fungi and moss can infect the
pests naturally. Spraying chemicals often kills the beneficial bugs
too.

6. Get out there and work with your hands! A hoe, spade, and your
hands are the best tools to combat weeds. Getting close to your plants
will help you identify problems and remove pests and damaged plants by
hand. Pruning plants helps remove diseased parts, leaving the plant's
nutrients for the healthy parts. Always prune back to a main branch or
stem; leaving "stubs" opens a door for pests.

7. Keep a garden journal in which you record when you see pests, what
they look like, what they have done to the plants, and the actions
taken. In this way, you will learn what works and what doesn't while
experimenting with new techniques.

8. What's That Smell? Grow herbaceous plants herbaceous plant whose
stem is soft and green and shows little growth of wood. The term is
used to distinguish such plants from woody plants. that naturally
repel pests. One of another solution is to grow garlic around roses.
Aphids hate the stuff, and it will go a long way in deterring them.
Other insect deterrents that you might try are marigolds and
citronellacitronella, a fragrant grass, the source of a volatile oil
used in perfumes and insect repellents.

9. Create a Bird Sanctuarybird sanctuary: see wildlife refuge. Use
feeders, baths, and nest boxes to attract birds into your yard. Not
only will garden pests diminish, but you'll also have the pleasure of
enjoying the beauty of these welcome visitors.

10. When all else fails, use barriers like chicken wire to protect
your prize tomatoes- try drenching mine with hot pepper spray and the
rabbits attacking them just laughed.

11. Know the rodents and other animals that might visit your garden;
visit your local USDA extension for information.

Fact and Information about cactus & succulent and another plant :
http://cactuslover.blogspot.com

O My Garden Place to learn more gardening and planting for lovely
garden: www.omygarden.net

On Sep 3, 5:29 am, O My Garden wrote:
1. Learn about the plants and the weeds and bugs that affect them.

2. Choose the right plants. Plant native species whenever possible.
Native plants are better protected by their own "immune systems" and
their relationships with other plants and animals in the area. You may
also look for plants that are pest-resistant.

3. Diversifying the garden with a variety of plants will help the
plants protect each other from pests. For example, small flowered
plants like daisies, mint, and rosemary attract many insects that eat
the pests. Check with a local garden shop or nursery for
recommendations.

3. Maintain healthy, fertile soil by rotating your plants, adding
compost, and mulching.

4. Plant early to avoid the worst bug season.

5. Allow growth of the pests' natural predators. Ladybugs, ground
beetles, and birds eat many pests, and fungi and moss can infect the
pests naturally. Spraying chemicals often kills the beneficial bugs
too.

6. Get out there and work with your hands! A hoe, spade, and your
hands are the best tools to combat weeds. Getting close to your plants
will help you identify problems and remove pests and damaged plants by
hand. Pruning plants helps remove diseased parts, leaving the plant's
nutrients for the healthy parts. Always prune back to a main branch or
stem; leaving "stubs" opens a door for pests.

7. Keep a garden journal in which you record when you see pests, what
they look like, what they have done to the plants, and the actions
taken. In this way, you will learn what works and what doesn't while
experimenting with new techniques.

8. What's That Smell? Grow herbaceous plants herbaceous plant whose
stem is soft and green and shows little growth of wood. The term is
used to distinguish such plants from woody plants. that naturally
repel pests. One of another solution is to grow garlic around roses.
Aphids hate the stuff, and it will go a long way in deterring them.
Other insect deterrents that you might try are marigolds and
citronellacitronella, a fragrant grass, the source of a volatile oil
used in perfumes and insect repellents.

9. Create a Bird Sanctuarybird sanctuary: see wildlife refuge. Use
feeders, baths, and nest boxes to attract birds into your yard. Not
only will garden pests diminish, but you'll also have the pleasure of
enjoying the beauty of these welcome visitors.

10. When all else fails, use barriers like chicken wire to protect
your prize tomatoes- try drenching mine with hot pepper spray and the
rabbits attacking them just laughed.

11. Know the rodents and other animals that might visit your garden;
visit your local USDA extension for information.

Fact and Information about cactus & succulent and another plant :http://cactuslover.blogspot.com

O My Garden Place to learn more gardening and planting for lovely
garden:www.omygarden.net

Many good suggestions.

When it comes to 3. Maintain healthy, fertile soil by rotating your
plants, adding
compost, and mulching, one has to be careful not to disturb the soil
in excess. This tends to promote latent weed seeds and erode the
organic quality of topsoil. With native plants, for example, there
should be no need for rotation?

More information is also available at pesticide.org.

___________________________
At peace with weeds and pests...
Are you a weeding tool expert?