KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – ECO-FRIENDLY GARDEN TIPS
Use beneficial insects instead of harmful pesticides in your garden. Lady
bugs and praying mantis feed on aphids, corn borers, cabbage loopers, spider
mites, thrips, scales and other small pests. These are definitely a majority of
the insects that bother our vegetable plants.
Ask your local nursery about purchasing ladybug and
praying mantis egg cases or check online for mail order options. You can
attract native ladybugs by planting angelica and dill. They are also attracted
to dandelions but we definitely don't want any of those around.
Put a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a quart of water.
Spray all over the plant paying special attention to the undersides of leaves.
Avoid the vegetables. This acts as an insecticidal soap, minus the insecticide.
This mixture will wash harmful insects right off the plants.
Pull weeds as they appear. They compete with garden plants for food and water.
Use mulch around plants to keep weeds down and conserve water. Use a soaker
hose in the garden. It is an efficient way to water the roots quickly.
Happy Gardening!
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH
& DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
