| An organic garden can be an exciting adventure but it | | | | label and look for an EPA approval rating. |
| involves a lot of hard work. If you are successful, you | | | | When choosing organic gardening pesticides, also |
| will be rewarded with healthy fruits and vegetables for | | | | consider these facts: |
| all of your dedication. The last thing a gardener wants | | | | - Products containing "sabadilla" are harmful to bees |
| is to discover that insects are eating away at the fruits | | | | and should be avoided. |
| of their labor. | | | | - Products containing copper will stunt plant growth and |
| Maintaining the delicate balance of soil, water, plants | | | | should be used sparingly. |
| and beneficial insects in your organic garden's | | | | - Products containing sulfur or lime should not be used |
| ecosystem is the hard part but it is the best way to | | | | if any oil-based product has also been used in the last |
| keep your plants healthy and free from insect damage | | | | month. |
| without the need for additional chemicals or fertilizers. | | | | - Organic soaps and oils are effective against soft |
| When that balance is upset and insects become a | | | | bodied insects (ie aphids..). Water the plants before |
| problem, the need may arise for a pesticide. Choosing | | | | applying and do not apply in full sun. |
| to even use a pesticide is a hard decision for most | | | | When using any pesticide, it is important to always |
| organic gardeners. It goes against every belief you had | | | | observe pesticide safety and follow these rules. |
| about your garden. It was supposed to be a | | | | 1. Read all labels carefully before using any product. |
| chemical-free environment. Why would I actually put | | | | 2. Observe and follow all directions and restrictions on |
| chemicals INTO my garden? When considering the | | | | labels. |
| alternative of just letting harmful insects destroy their | | | | 3. Always store the product in the original container. |
| hard work, most gardeners choose to use a pesticide. | | | | 4. Keep all pesticides in a locked cabinet and out of |
| Given the choice of a homemade remedy or a | | | | reach of children! |
| commercial repellent, the safer bet for the organic | | | | 5. Use recommended amounts of pesticides. |
| gardener is, of course, the homemade variety. In the | | | | 6. Dispose of empty containers per pesticide |
| event a homemade treatment is not effective and you | | | | instructions. |
| decide to proceed with a commercial pesticide, you | | | | Considering all of these factors, issues and rules may |
| should be aware of several issues. | | | | seem a bit overwhelming at first. But in order to |
| Even though a commercial pesticide may be labeled | | | | comply with the original objective of growing an |
| "natural" or "organic", it does not mean the product is | | | | organic garden, it is especially important to not take the |
| completely free of harmful ingredients. If you want a | | | | use of any pesticides lightly. |
| truly chemical-free organic garden, these products | | | | In the end, your consideration for your garden will |
| should be avoided and you should rely only on | | | | reward you with the freshest, healthiest produce on |
| prevention and homemade remedies with common | | | | earth. Please also never forget one of the most |
| kitchen ingredients. | | | | important things about your garden. You planted it |
| "Natural" or "organic" pesticides contain chemicals that | | | | because gardening is fun. |
| are derived from botanical (plant) or mineral (animal) | | | | Visit the author's comprehensive article, Organic |
| sources. These chemicals may still be toxic, but they | | | | Gardening Pesticides for more detailed information |
| break down more rapidly and are much safer than | | | | about prevention and the use of both homemade and |
| other man-made chemicals. One way to gauge how | | | | commercially-available pesticides. |
| "safe" an organic pesticide is would be to review the | | | | |