Each outdoor season plants are susceptible to pests. However, there are several methods you can adopt to prevent this from invading your garden and houseplants. Trees, vegetables, and flowers are all prone to insects that feed on your plants. This article identifies common pests found on various outdoor plants, explores natural ways to control pests and discuss methods for pest prevention.
We will also introduce a NEW highly effective insect prevention, Mammoth Garden Protect Me, that can enhance the health of your plants and provide a safe environment for your growing ecosystems indoor and outdoor. This product is full of 100% natural ingredients and a robust concentrated solution.
Identify Common Pests:
You may find your basil leaves devoured by slugs, often like punch holes, cucumbers covered in woodlice, and tomato leaves full of butterfly eggs and potato beetles. There may even be an army of black fly aphids on your beans. Pests can be devastating to witness, especially if you have spent much time caring for and nurturing these plants.
Below are some common pests found on trees, vegetables, and flowers:
Peach Aphid and Cabbage Whitefly
Colorado Potato Beetle
Spider Mite
Aphid
Identify Common Pests:
There are many ways to manage pests above and below ground.
#1 Reduce Tillage
By reducing your tillage, you ensure your soil stays healthy and does not erode. This will also keep the millions of beneficial insects and micro-organisms alive and thriving.
#2 Maintain Soil Cover
Utilizing cover crops allows one to preserve nutrients in the soil. For example, one can add blue sage above a white oak tree to deter pests from feeding on the white oak and settle for the blue sage. Cover cropping also allows effective water management and nutrient cycling.
#3 Add Organic Matter
Plants need food and nutrients too! Adding organic matter or soil additives like Mammoth Garden Grow Me can make all the difference. Grow Me is a nature-based fruit and bloom enhancer, helping plants maximize nutrient uptake for optimal growth and increased yield.
#4 Apply Insecticides
Add insect prevention like Mammoth Garden Protect Me. This product is made of 100% natural ingredients and is a strong concentrated solution. Scientists identified and selected essential pest-prevention compounds found in thyme oil to protect your plants.
#5 Rotate Your Plants
Often insects are emerging in the spring, so crop rotation will prevent them from hatching eggs laid from the winter. In addition, spring infestations can be delayed or reduced by moving your plants to a new area.
#6 Employ Beneficial Insects
Employ beneficial insects that may act as predators to pests on your plants. For example, if you plant flowers, these insects will naturally arrive in seek of refuge, pollen, or nectar.
Below, you will find a key to significant beneficial insects found on trees, vegetables, and flowers:
Lady Beetle
Earwig
Green Lacewing
Praying Mantis Nymph
#7 Introduce Crop Diversity
Grow different types of plants together in and around your garden. By planting multiple species in one area, it can strengthen one’s soil and reduce weeds because the plants will be working together to suppress pests, prevent disease, and share food sources. Crops that are grown in variety are less susceptible to pests and have natural defense mechanisms.
For example, you can attract natural pollinators by incorporating flowering plants and provide a resilient space for plants. A few flowering plants to consider include:
- Coriander, Dill, Fennel, Wild Parsnip.
- Goldenrod, Sunflower, Tansy, Yarrow
- Legumes e.g., Fava bean, Sweet clover, Alfalfa
- Mustards, Sweet alyssum, Yellow rocket, Wild mustard
Utilizing the methods above for pest prevention is crucial in providing ecological benefits and diversifying your green space indoors and outdoors. Do you have more questions about pest management or plant health? Chat with a Mammoth Garden growth specialist or check out our website for more information.