If you are wanting to keep you garden natural, and not use harsh chemicals , Cathy Isom has some ideas for easy homemade pesticides that really work. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
Instead of buying and using store bought pesticides, you can make your own by using ingredients you can grow or find at home. Or, things you may already be discarding, like tomato plant leaves and orange peels.
Some might dismiss the idea of homemade pesticides, thinking the recipes aren’t powerful enough to work. Consider what farmers and growers did hundreds of years ago when commercial pesticides weren’t available. They made their own from natural ingredients that they had on hand, often based on what they grew at the time.
For example, this easy recipe made with just two main ingredients, and it’s safe to use on any plant you eat. It includes 3 cups of freshly picked mint leaves, 3 heads of garlic with cloves separated and peeled, 12 cups of water, 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper, and a teaspoon of biodegradable dishwashing liquid. Combine the garlic and mint in a food processor — bring 12 cups of water to boil, then add the mint, garlic, and pepper. Boil for a minute and then let steep overnight. Next, strain into plastic spray bottles and add dishwashing liquid into each bottle. Apply on leaves that are actively being attacked or if you see pests present.
Other easy homemade pesticide recipes out there include using Orange Peels, garlic, onions, even flowers such as chrysanthemums. Using homemade pesticides will keep your garden as natural as possible.
I’m Cathy Isom…