Birds seem to think that seeds are just sown for them. Nothing works as well at deterring them as black thread stretched tightly across the seed beds, about 23cm above the ground. This is invisible: the birds touch it with their toes or wings and it gives them such a fright they'll think better of it next time.
There are also many different types of caterpillars sent to try our patience; the little green chap that eats your fresh apple leaves. Hand-picking for caterpillars is very effective. Just pluck them off and remove them from the garden.
Garlic planted around the trees will aid in repelling borers; also planted with tomatoes, garlic will help with the red spider mite and spraying ponds with a garlic-based oil will kill mosquitoes.
Add four or five pints of water and one tablespoon of corn starch to tomato leaves crushed in your vegetable juicer. Strain and keep the unused spray refrigerated. It works well as an insect repellent on vegetables and roses too.
People who grow organically often use companion planting and natural pest repellent methods. Once you start companion planting, herb gardening grows a whole new level.
Basil loves tomatoes, carrot loves tomatoes and basil loves strawberries and tomatoes and that's just the start of it. Certain plants help each other thrive. Here is a brief list of herbs that are often planted near vegetables and fruits to encourage growth, deter pests and even improve your soil, such as comfrey, the gardener's friend.
Lavender and lavender bags deter mice, ticks and moths and attract butterflies.
Prolifically-spreading mint (keep it contained) deters fleas, ants, mice and cabbage butterflies but don't plant it near parsley.
Oregano can repel cabbage butterflies and cucumber beetles if planted nearby and lies the grape vine.
Tansy works to repel ants, flies, feas and moths, especially good near fruit trees.
Thyme can deter cabbage worm when planted near the brassicas.
The wormwood plant itself is a deterrent to slugs and snails; it can be made into an effective herbal insecticide spray against slugs, snails and caterpillars. to make wormwood insecticide spray, simmer leaves in at least 1.75 litres of water, strain, cool and store in glass jars. You may add soapy water to increase effectiveness.
Plant three basil plants to every tomato plant; it also repels flies and mosquitoes.
Borage can help strawberries to thrive and can assist tomatoes and squash. It also attracts bees to pollinate your garden.
Try chamomile with onion and cabbage.
Plant chives near your carrots and apple trees. Chives steeped in water makes a great spray to kill powdery mildew disease.
Plant geranium near corn and grapes. This is also effective against red spider mite.
Lemon balm is great for tomatoes.
Plant mint near cabbage but never next to parsley.
Nasturtium is a great insect repellant and loves broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, fruit trees and radishes.
Oregano loves brassica crops and grape vines. It's also an insect repellent for cucumber beetle.
Parsley loves tomatoes, carrots, chives and asparagus but not mint.
Rosemary loves beans, carrots and sage but not potatoes.
Sage goes well with rosemary, cabbage and carrots but never with cucumbers.
Elderberry helps break down soil and compost. Dig it out and check out the black gold around its roots - rich topsoil.
For all you smokers out there, simmer 350g of filter-tip cigarette ends in 4.5 litres of water for aphids. This spares ladybirds and their larvae and breaks down in 48 hours but we wouldn't eat from the garden for about two weeks to be sure.
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