Pesticide-Free Garden – Tips on How to Grow Roses the Organic Way

Organic gardening is the practice of growing plants in soil that is treated with natural substances rather than chemically developed pesticides or fertilizers. Gardening without pesticides can help keep the environment, animals, and humans safe.

Organic gardening is important because it can help avoid water pollution. Currently pesticides and fertilizers are responsible for ten percent of the water pollution in the United States.

In addition, pesticides that are meant to protect our plants from insects and pests can be harmful to other animals, especially birds and fish. Run off from the chemicals used in pesticides can soak in ground water and make its way into rivers, lakes, and oceans. This run off can kill all wildlife that it comes in contact with.

Furthermore, because the food chain dictates that animals eat other animals, pesticides can build up and be passed along eventually making its way to humans. Pesticides have been linked to such impairments as mental heath issues, low sperm count, some forms of cancer, and hormonal imbalances.

There are several tips on how to successfully garden without the use of pesticides. First, you should select the right plant and place it in the best spot in your garden. A plant that is being grown in the wrong place is more susceptible to pests and insects. So if your plant of choice has care instructions indicating it should be grown in the direct sun then that is where you should plant it. Likewise a plant that needs shade to thrive should be planted in a location that does not get direct exposure to the sun.

Next, you should attempt to select plants that are naturally more resistant to insects and disease. You can choose plants known for their hardiness and strength. Or ask you local nursery if they sell species of your favorite plants that have been cultivated to resist pests and diseases.

In addition, you should try to create a diversified habitat in your garden. Creating a diverse setting by selecting several species of plants will generate several types of organisms hat call your garden home. Nature will take over and the organisms will live off of each other keeping the population of insects in balance.

Instead of using harsh chemical fertilizers, try using natural compost. Compost can add nutrients and micro-organisms to the soil without adding additional toxins. Also, attempt to feed your garden with natural fertilizers, such as seaweed or manure.

It is also important to keep your garden hydrated. This means watering regularly and deeply. If possible avoid getting the foliage wet to prevent fungal diseases.

Pruning your garden can help prevent the unnecessary use of pesticides and fertilizers. Pruning your plants can keep them healthy by removing dead, damaged or diseased components of the plant before they contaminate the rest of the plant or garden.

You can also help prevent the sources of infestation by cleaning your gardening tools regularly to get rid of any bacteria. Also, make all attempts to rid your garden of weeds and destroy any plant parts that are diseased or infested with pests.

Despite your best efforts your garden still may develop problems with disease or insects. Because of this it is important to keep an eye on your plants. If you catch a problem in time you can address it and save your garden without the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers.

If you’ve made all attempts to keep your organic garden free from chemicals and your plants are still becoming sick and dying, you may feel the need to turn to pesticides to save your garden. As a last resort look for low impact pesticides and use them sparingly.