No Pesticides Required for Urban Gardening By Michael McIntyre, Urban Regional Extension Agent, Mobile County

You may observe while shopping at the grocery store or farmer's market that some garden produce has insect damage and other produce does not. With cost not being a factor, which one would you choose? Most of us would select the produce without insect damage. However, most likely this produce has been treated with pesticides.

If you planted your spring garden early this year perhaps you have an advantage over most insect pests. Good soil preparation and manure should make your plants hearty. However, you may still encounter a few garden pests regardless of soil preparation. This is quite normal since most insects are coming out of winter hibernation. However, there is no need to make an urban garden dependent on pesticides.

Pesticides are more widely used on large commercial farms where farmers have little or no direct contact with crops grown. An urban garden operation is much smaller and the gardener can easily examine and hand pick insect pests before any severe damage is done. A diverse garden is the key to minimizing insect damage.

Just as we have our favorite dish, insects thrive on their favorite plants. A mix of plants growing in the garden will attract more insects, but no large outbreak of any one species of pests. Most flowering plants attract bees and butterflies that not only pollinate plants, but also feed on harmful insects. For example, lady bugs are beneficial insects that feed on aphids and aphids feed on plant sap. Certain plants such as marigolds, catnip, dill, rosemary, garlic, and mint all help to reduce insect pests in urban gardens. Some of these plants produce flowers that encourage beneficial insects, while others have chemical properties that destroy harmful insects and provide shelter for beneficial insects. As a rule of thumb urban gardeners should grow plants that produce flowers with sufficient pollen and nectar such as cosmos, golden rod, sweet alyssum, and sunflowers.

Gardening homeowners should eliminate or reduce pesticide use and include flowering plants and herbs, thus protecting themselves and the environment. Contact your county Extension office for more gardening information.

Olkowski, W., Daar, S., & Olkowski, H. (1995). The gardener's guide to common-sense pest control. Connecticut: The Taunton Press.

Starcher, A. M. (1998). Good bugs for your garden. New York: Workman Publishing Company, Incorporated.

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