Pests and diseases
Andrew Halstead and Beatrice Henricot.
New York : DK Publishing, 2010.
Easy ways to keep your plants healthy
What's wrong with my plant (and how do I fix it?) : a visual guide to easy diagnosis and organic remedies
David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth.
Portland, Or. : Timber Press, 2009.
As clear and direct as the title of the book itself, this terrific guide provides no-nonsense direction on how to plant plants so they're happy and insect- and disease-free. Following this first, basic line of defense, described in a chapter that details right plant for the right spot and the essentials of soil, pruning, and water, the majority of the volume is devoted to identifying and treating plant problems. Clear and practical in its presentation, the text uses a flow chart format that guides the reader through the symptoms to a specific problem and its solution. Includes a catalog of excellent photos of specific plant problems. This text, which advocates organic gardening techniques and resources, will be valuable for experienced gardeners and a lifesaver for beginning ones. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
The complete illustrated handbook of garden pests and diseases and how to get rid of them : a comprehensive guide to over 800 garden problems and how to identify, control and treat them successfully
London : Southwater, 2008.
The greatest deterrent to every would-be gardener is coping with weeds and dealing with plants that fail to thrive no matter how well nurtured they have been. This is a guide to the most common garden problems, and some rarer ones also, and how to identify and eradicate them using organic and inorganic means.
Some plants naturally repel certain pests. By knowing which plants to use as a natural pest repellant, you can control pesky bugs and the damage they can inflict on your garden. This information can also help you achieve imaginative companion plantings and organic landscaping.
A favorite companion plant is the marigold. While providing bright, vibrant orange flowers, marigolds have a strong odor that will repel certain pests including nematodes. Gardeners often plant these flowers within their vegetable gardens to help with control. Chrysanthemums and dahlias are other companion plants to consider. Nasturtiums and French marigolds repel white flies, while catnip and tansy help repel the destructive Japanese beetle.
These bugs can help with garden pests
Wild plants, such as yarrow, can be grown in your garden to attract predatory wasps. These wasps, in turn, may keep your garden free of insect pests.
Last, but not least, try planting garlic in your garden. This plant will naturally discourage the survival of slugs and snails.
Some plants will repel a host of pests while other work only against one or two. All in all, there are many organic, natural methods to rid your garden of pests. Using natural solutions to gardening problems can lead to a pest free environment.
Article by: St. Louis Public Library staff