Compost is my trick for growing things. I start gardens with 10-12 inches and top dress every 3rd year. My landscape company is just opening on Mon and I have my order in for first 4 yds (and 1 yd bark mulch to add to pots as suggested).
Sorry, I don't know what to suggest for aphids. Birds? Grasshoppers?
I tried vinegar one year. Ha!
Oh, I tried something that worked for those spade type running weeds (lambs quarters?)
Liming the lawn worked. They must like acid soil.
But then gill over the ground came in.
