Organic Alternatives for Gardeners
Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides are generally not needed to establish and maintain a healthy lawn and gardens. There are many alternatives that will work without the use of toxic chemicals or excess nutrients that poison not only pests and invaders, but all of the beneficial organisms as well. Below are a few "home" remedies that have been tested by our members with success. (If you have others, please send them to us so we can include them on the site.)
Organic Alternatives I Have Used
Submitted by LeeAnne Ostrander
I have used all of the recipes below with great success.
- Weed Killer: In an empty gallon container add ½ gallon
vinegar (white or apple cider) and ½ gallon of water. Pour into a sprayer
and soak the weed completely. Best results are achieved on hot, sunny
days. The vinegar will cause the weeds to burn and die. For the stubborn
weeds two applications may be necessary. Keep unused product handy because
the wind and birds are busy dropping more weed seeds every day. Dead
plants may be composted if desired.
Variations: I have also heard of adding other ingredients such as: Salt – Be very careful, repeated use of salt will make the soil infertile and nothing will grow.
Do not place dead plants in compost bin. Salt is not beneficial to compost. Horticultural Molasses – may also deter fire ants and molasses is beneficial to a compost pile. Cooking Oil – helps to burn the plant-similar to people using tanning oil to sunbathe If using vegetable oil, dead plants can be composted if desired. Feel free to experiment on different recipes to see which works best for you in your yard, driveway, flower bed, etc. Just be cautious, don’t go overboard because too much of anything, even organic materials, can change your soil. - Insecticidal Soap: For aphids, caterpillars and mites
Use a gallon container to mix 3 ozs dishwashing liquid (any kind works)
with water. Mix well, but don’t shake-, the suds take a while to settle.
Pour into a spray bottle and apply liberally to affected plants or leaves.
Do not spray flower blossoms.
Variations: I have heard of the following additives: Cooking Oil – 4 tblsp per gallon Horticultural Molasses – 1 oz per gallon - Bug Repellant: Place dried peppers in a food processor and grind to a dust. Use around plants or areas to keep pest free. Cayenne pepper spice also works well.
- Fire Ant Killer: In a gallon container use 2 oz orange oil and 1 oz horticultural molasses, fill with water. Shake thoroughly and drench the ant mound completely. I like to poke a hole in the mound using a rake and then the liquid gets deep into the mound to kill all the queens. Depending on the size of the mound you may need to use two or more gallons to completely soak the entire mound.