GET PHYSICAL

Sometimes you just have to get physical with pests:

• Nets or row covers over cabbage will keep the moths from laying eggs on them.
• Crushed eggs shells can be put around the base of plants to keep slugs away.
• Metals cans (with both ends cut off) can be put over tender seedlings and pushed into the soil a bit to keep cutworms at bay.

To help with a pill bug infestation, put a teaspoon of yeast, a teaspoon of sugar and 1/2 cup of water into an 8 ounce jar and bury the jar up to the lip. The pill bugs are drawn to the smell and will drown. Change out the jar every couple of days. Also, looking for insect eggs on the underside of leaves and squishing them is an effective way to reduce pests in the garden.

Many of the above tips for organic, all-natural pest control are related to creating a healthy garden ecosystem, which is really the key to keeping things in balance in the garden. The more we can learn about ecology and ecosystem dynamics related to gardening, the better we will intuitively know how to keep our garden healthy with less work and inputs.

However, the best thing we can do is to get out into the garden, observe carefully, and have fun!