Alternative Community Farmer/WPB.FL

Long time ago ANCIENT man used  NATURAL time tested horticultural prevention methods to combat  garden pests.With the discovery of Oil and after two world wars that left over tons of chemiclas used in warfare , Modern man learned to reap good business from turning over to those leftovers and oil products to invest in a lucrative business called PESTISIDES,FUNGICIDES,HERBICIDES...and the consequences were more people visiting the hospitals and falling ill.I am not talking about those migrant farmers who have given birth to deformed children due to their exposure to the pesticides and company .I am talking about people like myself who developed allergies and sickness due to the chemiclas used to spray my food!So I took the alternative prevention way and now I have experimented with GROWING my own organic pesticides and the results were saving on both the garden center grocery and health bills.You can do it as well if you wish ,it is easy.

1)GARLIC:
I found out that garlic has an aroma that is STINKING so I used it against the pesticides.I now grow garlic on the boundaries of my vegetable garden  in addition I do extract a garlic TEA .I use the green garlic leaves in my salads as well as  to extraxt a tincture to spray my veggie garden with- even when no pests are around,it is very effective in the tropical hot and humid zones of 9-10 of S.Florida in addition to the following:

2)Marigolds: Look for Mexican(Tagetes minuta) and African (Tagetes erecta)marigols , if not available opt for the pot marigiolds(Calendula officinalis).Make sure those marigolds have SCENTS when you buy them.Buy no marigolds that are scent-less!You may brew the flowers as well to produce a tea that is effective as well in spraying against garden pests!

3)Nasturtiums:The flowers and leaves of Nasturtium are edible as well as they are effective to repel pests.You may brew a tea or just mix the extracts with other brews like garlic and marigolds.Experiment.None of those listed are toxic for humans or animals  -if used with moderation and care-but they repel pests!

4)Herbs combo:Dill -Borage-yarrow-pennyroyal-Rose mary-basil: See what is available of the above mentioned and brew.Mix with dissolved ashes and spray .Remember that if you can eat those herbs and flowers and they are safe for your bady , then it is OK to use them to combat pests.Disclaimer:Prior to using all of the above and below mentioned herbs and flowers and plants:Check with your health care professional if in doubt about any side effects or anything allergenic ,toxic or unsafe for  your  use please  discard. .Non harmful organic pesticides are  good for you and for the environment.

5)Neem tree: This tree native to India is now making headlines in combating pests.The leaves as well as the seeds and bark can be used to brew a tea that can be either enjoyed for sipping or spraying .I usually use the STINKING NEEM OIL when spraying my garden.Also , I have Neem trees planted in the garden as well to make trhe environment hostile for  bad pests but friendly for plants and humans.Remember that there are good pests like the LADY BUG...that we need to keep out of harms way!

6)Chrysanthemum(Cinaraefolium or coccineum).May be you recognise the word PYRETHRUM .It is an ingredient that is now widely used by organic pesticide pioneers like OMARI for example.It is best to grow this organic pesticide rather than buy it because there are inert materials added that are not specified in the label and might contain poisons or toxic ingredients in some of the commercial products.So home grown is best to opt for!

Now you may want to know to use which for what pests?

Good thinking.But , I personally do not discriminate against pests or anybody . I have found out that experimenting with mixing aromatherapy oils (such as citronela),soaps(such as Dr Broners castile soap) and herb teas(like the above mentioned) in MODERATE amounts(1 or 2% concentrates for example).The purpose is not to KILL the pests but rather to dicourage and SHOO them!Organic gardeners do not use invasive and harmful ways or words in their food GROWING practice.The meek shall inherit and work the land.So be not MEAN but rather MEAK if you want to inherit the earth and not DESTROY IT or KILL ITS INHABITANTS..including the little pests...shoo them away..that is the do no harm  way!

Have a Safe and happy gardening!

More on our up-coming classes and workshops AND OTHER OERGANIC GARDENING  blog ARTICLES , PLEASE VISIT our web link:

www.http://localharvest.org/farms/M20618