Take some time right now and think about pest management in your garden. Winter is a good time to think about this because you have time to do some research and plan your strategy. With some research and knowledge you should be able to bi-pass harsh pesticides and enjoy your organic garden.

We often attack pests when we first spot them in our flowers and this knee-jerk approach usually involves harsh chemicals. Take a minute today to think about garden pests that will visit the garden this summer and the earth friendly ways to control them so that we can have more fun in our garden this summer.

Slugs can be a terrible garden pest. They make yucky paths all over the garden and they make ragged holes in the leaves of your garden. Yuck. Before you break out the most deadly of slug pellets which will also kill all the snakes, toads and [little bird feeding| bird feeding]creatures you can try some other things. Try slug traps using terra cotta pots turned upside down which flip over in the morning and pick off the slugs. Slugs will crawl under old newspaper bundles strewn around the garden and then you can just pick them up and toss them in the garbage. For a "crawl in but don't crawl out" trap, partially fill soda cans with a solution of beer, water and yeast. Scare slugs away by putting coffee grounds around the base of your hostas. Alternative methods may not be an absolute cure, but they are healthier for your garden and the creatures living there than harsh chemicals.

Japanese beetle, black vine weevil, fleas and cucumber beetles are some more unwelcome guests in your plants. Japanese beetles love to feast on yellow flowers...keep it in mind when choosing the colors of the garden. Black vine weevil enjoy chewing up your rhododendrons in case you were wondering what was eating those edges and cucumber beetles leave polka dot spots all over your daisy leaves.

Toxic chemicals will kill these garden pests, but they will also kill everythings else: put beneficial nematodes to work instead. Nematodes are threadlike worms that you mix with water and spray or pour around your plant roots. Nematodes need to be poured or sprayed on the garden on a cloudy day as exposure to sunlight will kill them. These namatodes are like little missiles in search of the offending grubs in your garden. Nematodes will not harm you or your family.Get those bad beetles with an application of nematodes in the early spring and late fall. Nematodes while initially expensive are a long term solution saving you a lot of money later. Say good bye to grubs forever by applying beneficial nematodes on your lawn. Nematodes are healthy medicine for your garden.

Aphids are a real rose flower problem. Spray them for a once a day for a few days with a heavy jet of water from your garden hose. Spray them with a mix of soap, oil and water. Try predatory lady bugs and praying mantis but they are iffy workers and don't always show up when you need them the most.

Nobody likes mosquitos! Citronella is probably your best and most accessible weapon against them in your garden.[Glass firepots| Firepots]filled with[citronella gel fuel|citronella fuel gel]are a key defense against these invasive and unwelcome garden pests!

You can feel good knowing that you are using these environmentally sound methods of pest control vs. poisonous pesticides. While these measures may not kill every pest in your landscape you can rest with the knowledge that you are doing your best to create a balanced environment. You help the planet and all the good creatures on it when you choose alternative pest management. Stop and think before you apply pesticides to your garden.

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The Poison Garden $8.29 It is the 1850's, and a young boy, Thomas, leaves his family to be apprenticed to a pharmacist, at the behest of his dead grandmother. He also inherits a magical box from her, which provides him entry into a mysterious garden. But while visiting it, he sees a ghostly vision of his grandmother, who tells him she was poisoned, and warns him that he must find the person responsible, and save her precious garden. For she was one of five members of an arcane guild, each of whom cultivated an individual garden, mastering the art of poison, perfume and medicine. The guild members jostle for power as, one by one, they are murdered... can Thomas solve the mystery, before he in turn is threatened?