mrfrudd2006 asks: Stop Pests From Eating Herb Garden?
I have planted sunflowers in the ground and an herb garden in pots. I am starting to see holes in the leaves that obviously are being attacked and eaten by pests I haven’t even seen. I tried one pest spray, but it isn’t cutting it. Can someone recommend a spray or technique to eliminate this problem. If possible, I want to avoid toxic methods as I use organic fertilizers. Thanks for any help and advice.
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Answer by The Mog
There are some organic oils and even soaps that can be sprayed on to ward off pests. In addition you can get lady bugs that eat aphids if they are the problem. Go to the nursery and they will help you.
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Have you considered eating the insects instead of spraying them?
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2160.html
A good one for snails and slugs is to smear a band of vaseline
around the pots!!
Here’s a few things you can try for your Sunflower (Helianthus).
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Some insects don’t like aluminum. You can put it around the your plants but not quite touching the plants. When the sun hits it gives them a blinding effect. Also they don’t like the taste.
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A milk carton…if you can’t put it over the plant. slice the carton and wrap around it. Putting the carton inch below the soil line. Then you can put petroleum jelly or a sticky ant barrier around the top on the carton thus not being able to crawl over the carton and unto your plant. This can work for Worms as well…which is typically the problem with Sunflower Plants. Night Moths, which then lay their eggs on your plants.
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At night…take your flashlight and try to hand pick them off of your plant. Throw them in your grass waste recycling…they can live at the dump!! Hey……a Moths gotta live too! he!he!
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You can try making Moth repellent sachets…which work good for the closets…it may work out side if you put them around the plant.
If you don’t have a sachet you can use the bottom of a pair of nylons cut it and fill it with dried lavender, whole peppercorn, dear chips or a 50-50 mixture of dried rosemary and mint. (A pet store may carry the Cear chips!) Then tie the nylon and hang.
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Planting Garlic Cloves close by keeps pests away!
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And just so you know:
Sunflowers are also prone to Verticilluim wilt….something to be aware of. Not that it’s going to happen…it just can!
If I think of something else…I’ll try to get back to you!
Happy Gardening…
SmileyCat : )
It sounds like slugs to me..They are nocturnal, which would explain why you don’t see them during the day. Try setting some shallow pans of beer near by..the slugs will go to it and drown. Also, check out : http://www.gardensalive.com
They have really good natural products that work. (I use them)
The problem could also be earwigs (ick). Try using the products that are diamtomaceous earth. The product that I have contains silicon dioxide, it can be applied to your garden until the day of harvest, and it is safe to pets, fish, bird, and other wildlife. All you do is sprinkle it on the soil around your plants. Call around to garden centres to find it. One of your local department stores may also carry it.