It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that garden pesticides are poison. Not only are they dangerous to have around our children and pets, but they harm the soil, the helpful insects that inhabit that soil and the birds and other animals that feed on those insects. On top of all that, pests are becoming immune to many of these chemicals, rendering them useless, though nonetheless destructive. But abandoning the skull-and-crossbones approach doesn’t mean you can’t have a healthy lawn or beautiful yard. In fact, gardening without pesticides means you’ll have truly healthier plants. Let’s take a look at some simple, non-toxic alternatives.

Give Your Garden a Head Start
Solarize This is a simple way to free your soil from weeds and pests. Start by moistening the area and covering it with a thin plastic tarp. To be most effective, it should stay covered for at least three to four weeks during the hottest part of the summer. The heat will kill the unwanted things in your soil and then you can plant.
Prepare the site Be sure your soil is broken up well, and that dead or diseased plants are removed before you plant new ones. Amend the soil (add nutrients) before you plant. You can take a soil sample to many nurseries and they will advise you on what your soil needs.
Choose Wisely Pick healthy plants and check carefully for pests or diseases before buying them. Look for native plants that are adapted to our local conditions. They will grow more easily with fewer problems. And keep your eye out for varieties that have been bred to resist plant disease or insects. Rotating the plants in your vegetable garden will also prevent diseases from taking hold.

Take Care
Insects tend to attack stressed out plants; many pest problems can be avoided simply by keeping plants healthy. Fertilize and water consistently to keep them strong. Don't let them get too wet, too dry or too shaded. Use drip irrigation or spot watering to prevent weed germination, save water and control fungal and bacterial growth. Keep the leaves of your rose bushes dry to prevent mildew.

Invite the Right Guests
The central principle of organic gardening is to grow plants in harmony with nature. And insects are an integral part of that system. When you spot insects in your garden, take a minute to really watch what they're doing. Are they destroying the plant or just nibbling it a bit? Many insects are beneficial to your garden. Ladybugs, birds, frogs and lizards control pests by eating them. Encourage these natural predators to hunt pesky insects in your garden. By providing a water source (a dish, bird bath, or fountain), you will make your garden more attractive to these garden-friendly creatures. Avoid wiping out the entire pest population with a pesticide, and you’ll avoid sending the beneficial creatures elsewhere in search of food. You can also grow plants with small blossoms like sweet alyssum, cilantro, yarrow or dill to attract these helpful critters; ladybugs are particularly fond of fennel. Find more information at the website for the Beneficial Insect Company, http://www.thebeneficialinsectco.com/index.html.

Try Green Pest Control Methods
• Mulch
Control weeds, warm seed beds, and conserve water. Bark, leaves, pine needles or even grass clippings can be used as mulch.
• Hose ‘em off!
Many insect and mite pests can be controlled by blasting them off with a strong spray of your hose. Be sure to get underneath leaves as well.
• Handpick the buggers
Though the thought might be nasty, it is very effective to handpick harmful bugs, beetles, caterpillars, and their egg masses. Hard scales can be rubbed off the plants with a plastic scrub pad. Encourage slugs to congregate by laying wooden boards or roofing shingles along garden paths for them to hide under, then simply lift the boards during the day, gather and dispose of the slugs.
• Set traps
Slugs are attracted to the fermented yeast in beer. Take a shallow container (a sour cream or yogurt cup works great) and bury it so that it is even with the ground. Then fill the container with beer to within an inch of the rim. The slugs crawl in and drown. Continue to change the beer every few days. For more natural solutions for slugs, check out http://eartheasy.com/grow_nat_slug_cntrl.htm.
• Hoe, hoe, hoe
Weeds are easiest to stop when they are young. Hoeing early in the day allows the sun to dry and kill weed seedlings quickly.
• Wash ‘em away
Insecticidal soaps are an excellent way of controlling common garden pests like aphids, whitefly, mites and other soft-bodied insects. These are non-toxic and inexpensive.
• Use the buddy system
“ Companion planting” works because certain plants let off an aroma that drives certain pests away. Take aphids, for example, they love to munch on our tomatoes, but they detest the smell of marigolds—so be sure to surround your tomatoes with some lovely marigolds. For a full chart of compatible plants, see http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/companion.htm.

HOT TIP!
Hot pepper spray is an effective and organic way of dealing with leafhoppers, spider mites, and whiteflies. It is available from many organic garden supply companies or you can mix your own at home: Puree two large cayenne peppers in a blender or food processor. Strain the puree to remove any seeds or solids. Dilute 1/4 cup of the hot pepper concentrate with 1 gallon of water in a spray bottle. To help the spray stick to the leaves, add about 1/4 tablespoon of dishwashing soap. Be sure to wear gloves and keep your hands away from your face and eyes when working with hot pepper spray.

For many more ideas on natural ways to garden safely check out the EarthEasy website at http://eartheasy.com/grow_menu.htm.