| Insects are eating my bell pepper plants. Please tell me what I can make from household ingredients that I can put on my plants to repel insects. I also have onions, lettuce, tomatoes, spinish, etc. They are all in containeers as I have very little space. This is my first garden, so please help me as soon as possible. Thank You |
| While gardens sometimes fall prey to insects and diseases, you can ensure a healthy garden by preparing the soil well prior to planting, providing adequate sunlight, air circulation, food and water to your plants. Healthy plants are less prone to insect and disease problems. If you monitor the plants in your garden, pinching off diseased-looking plant parts as soon as you see them and removing insects by hand, you shouldn't have any major problems. The household products that are mixed together and applied to prevent or control insects and diseases are not all that efficient, and they can be quite expensive. I think the plan is to prey upon people's concern about using chemicals, substituting familiar products that they have on hand instead. The manufacturers of these products (such as baby shampoo and cola drinks) never intended them to be mixed together and used in the garden. The companies are not liable for the results when products are used in a manner inconsistent with the label directions. You'd be better off choosing the right plant for the conditions in your garden, giving your plants proper care, rotating your crops, and monitoring for problems so you can nip them in the bud. It's a much healthier and less expensive way to garden than mixing concoctions based upon some unproven theory. |
