6 Ways to Naturally Protect Your Garden This Summer
With summer almost here, your garden is going to face some changes that you’ll have to help it face—insects and disease. The easy solution would be to go to the local garden center and buy the first bottle of pest control you can find, but those are almost always made with harsh chemicals that are bad for you and the environment. Before you go to the store, read up on some natural ways to protect your garden. You may even save some money in the process.
1. Weeds? Try Vinegar
Not many people know this, but vinegar is an excellent resource to use on weeds. The best way to use it is to spray vinegar on weeds when they’re in direct sunlight. This will help the vinegar absorb into the leaves faster, killing it quickly. One thing to be careful of: vinegar will also kill the plants you want to keep, so spray on weeds that are around the edge of your garden for best control.
2. Insects? Oil Spray Is Essential
Oil may not seem like the number one way to get rid of insects in your garden, but don’t be afraid to try it. Different kinds of bugs are weak to different essential oils. While it kills the bugs that hurt your garden, the essential oils will also kill fungus and blight. It’s a powerful insect solution that’s also very easy.
If you aren’t into essential oils, they aren’t your only option for getting rid of insects. There are a lot of other ways to get rid of insects naturally, and many of them are easy to do and are probably already in your home. You just have to find the method that works best for you and your garden. Essential oils aren’t the only option.
3. Fungus? Use Some Baking Soda
Molds and fungus can be the hardest thing to fight off in your garden, and if you don’t have essential oils laying around ready to help, chances are you’ll have some baking soda you can use instead. Making a homemade baking soda mix will require a little bit of vinegar, but it’s not enough to kill your plants, so don’t worry. This is an especially great way to fight black spots on roses, if you happen to have those in your garden too.
4. Try Getting Some New Plants
There are actually certain types of plants that repel particular kinds of insects. It may be smart to buy them and let them do the work for you, instead of regularly buying supplies to protect your garden. A good idea to consider would be planting a few around the edge of your garden, or between rows of plants that you find typically have more bugs on them.
5. Make A Home for The Good Bugs
In the long run, it’ll pay off to let bees feel like they’re at home in your garden. They eat soft-bodied bugs like flies that hurt your plants, and they help pollinate so your plants can keep growing after generations. Plant some flowers that bees love to let them know they’re welcome. They will only do good for your garden, but if you see any nests forming, contact a local beekeeper. They’ll know how to smoke the bees out and relocate them.
6. Give Them Some Coffee
No, you won’t have to sacrifice any of your favorite creamer. Coffee grounds can benefit your garden in a variety of ways. The grounds will add nitrogen to the soil, so if you have plants that prefer high acidity, this will be great for them. Coffee also deters a lot of creatures, like cats and slugs. It’s a great way to chase away bigger pests without having to put up a fence. However, if the coffee does not do the trick, I recommend AAA Fence Contractor to work on your yard.
There are lots of ways to protect your garden without hurting the plants or yourself in the process. Some of the safer ways are even cheaper too, so you’ll save money along the way. This summer, protect your garden by trying something new. A happy garden will make you smile, and the earth will too.
About the author: Kacey is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts.