Earthly Garden

If you have a pest or disease that has become a problem try these natural organic control methods. Whichever ones you decide to use, please be sure and follow these simple rules:

1.Don’t spray when it is over 80 degrees. The early morning or the cool of evening is best.
2.Test a small part of the plant, wait 24 hours and continue if there is no damage.
3.Always protect your skin and face.

To keep cats and dogs out try this:

Mix two garlic bulbs and one tablespoon of cayenne pepper with one quart of water. Add one tablespoon of liquid dish soap (not the kind for dishwashers!). Strain into a spray bottle and use.

Garlic is also good for aphids and mites. Garlic contains sulfur and acts as an antibacterial agent and fungus preventative. Combine three ounces of minced garlic cloves with one ounce of mineral oil. Soak for 24 hours. Strain. Mix one teaspoon of fish emulsion with 16 ounces of water. Add one tablespoon of soap to this. Slowly mix the fish emulsion water with the garlic oil. To use: Mix two tablespoons of garlic mixture with 1 pint of water and spray.

To get rid of deer, cut up a bar of Irish Spring (or any other strong smelling soap) and put it in panty hose. Tie where deer have been known to feed.

For mites add one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid to one gallon of water and use with a spray bottle. This also works well for aphids.

Use rubbing alcohol to treat plants with spider mites or mealy bugs.. Several applications of rubbing alcohol to the infested areas will successfully get rid of them. Do not use on sunny days as it will burn the leaves.

To control Black Spot in early spring before the leaves come out, spray with lime sulphur dormant oil. This kills off over-wintering diseases and pests. Remove any leaves showing Black Spot as soon as you see them. To prevent or treat blackspot in roses to be used for cooking and such, or roses near a pond, use a mixture of baking soda and water. Mix together 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent and 1 gallon of water and spray on roses once a week.

To repel beetles on your roses, mash one cup of marigold leaves and flowers and mix with one pint of water. Soak for 24 hours and strain. Add 1-½ quarts of water then add ¼ teaspoon of soap and spray.

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