Going Green-In the Garden

Written by Bakersfield Magazine

Now that summer is approaching, everyone is looking to get back out into the garden. You can plant flowers, get in touch with nature, and discover ways to improve the look of your yard. Of course, you can also improve the health of your backyard.

Before you can enjoy your backyard, however, you’ve probably got to do a bit of tidying. That can require removing any ugly noxious weeds that have rooted themselves in your yard. It can also require getting rid of unwanted insects (cockroaches, spiders, slugs) and fungi.

Rather than attack any problem areas with over-the-counter pesticides or insect repellents, that are often made of harsh chemicals, many scientists and garden-experts are turning to natural and eco-friendly pesticides made of common spices and ingredients you can find around the house.

These types of natural pesticides are much safer to use, since chemical pesticides can do a great deal of harm to our ecosystems if they find their way into the natural environment.

For starters, the National Resource Defense Council (nrdc.org) recommends trying various things to reduce a dependency on chemical-based pest-control. These tips can keep you from having bug problems in the first place. Use native plants, trees, and grasses when creating a lawnscape. Also, fill up any cracks in the walls or in the pavement to keep burrowing or nesting insects from having a place to hide. Keep your vegetation at least one foot away from any structures you may have in your yard, since this will also keep any insects from finding shelter. Before tossing any dishes outside, make sure they’re clean of food residue. Keep your garbage can clean and if you have a compost bin, keep it tidy.

If you do have an infestation, there are some eco-friendly pesticide recipes to try at home.

According to ehow.com, a number of recipes exist that are safe to use and easy to make.

For example, a great way to prevent fungus from growing on any plants or even in the soil, is to mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, and 1 pint of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and then add 1 tablespoon of Castile soap. Spray this mixture on the plant leaves and the soil once a week.

Another anti-fungal recipe, that is slightly easier to make, involves mixing one part milk to one part water in a spray bottle. Then all you do is shake and spray on your plants every few days.

And to get rid of all those slugs or snails, place beer in a shallow plate in your garden. Slugs are attracted to the smell of the beer, but they drown in the liquid.

To prevent mold and mildew growth, try spraying raw apple cider vinegar on leaves and soil around plants.

Believe it or not, researchers are now using spices to create eco-friendly pesticides. Can we get a chorus of “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme” going here?

In a study presented at an American Chemical Society’s meeting in 2009, and chronicled on the website eurekalert.org, scientists have shown that so-called “essential oil pesticides” are safe to use on fruits, vegetables, and present less risk to humans who handle them (unlike chemical pesticides). Of course, more importantly, they are successful at repelling or killing insects.

These new pesticides are generally a mixture of tiny amounts of two to four different spices diluted in water.

The natural pesticides have several advantages. Unlike conventional pesticides, these eco-friendly ones do not require extensive regulatory approval and are readily available. An additional advantage is that insects are less likely to build resistance (the ability to shrug off once-effective toxins).

So before you go grabbing a can of Raid, think how you can apply a green touch to your backyard this season. It’s safer for you, it’s safer for your family, and it’s safer for the environment.

Sources: nrdc.org; ehow.com; eurekalert.org

Article appeared in our 27-1 Issue - April 2010