Applying Organic Pest Management Techniques in the Garden By Nick Volesky, USU Extension
Organic is a broad term that refers to or derives from living matter. In chemistry, it denotes compounds containing carbon. In agriculture and
horticulture, organic relates to production practices that avoid the use of artificial agents in soil media, composts, seeds, plants, fertilizers, or pesticides. Gardeners who apply organic practices do so for a variety of reasons, including concerns for personal health, preservation of their local environment, along with promoting biodiversity. When it comes to dealing with insect, arthropod, or plant disease problems in vegetable gardens, many organic gardeners will turn to the integrated pest management concept. This is both a sustainable and evidence-based approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks.
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