COMMUNITY
In Your Backyard
SOLUTIONS FOR A
NON-TOXIC GARDEN BY KRISTA EHRET
Spring is prime yard work/gardening season for two reasons: The emergence of some warmer, sunny days and the lock down that has us all clamoring just to get outside of the house. I've recently moved from a townhome with a postage stamp-sized back yard to a free standing home with an actual opportunity to try out (errr, attempt to acquire), my green thumb. Although I have no plans to grow anything edible, keeping my outdoor space as chemical-free as possible is very important. While bugs are not my most favorite companions (looking at you, mosquitoes), we love having birds and bunnies to view out of the windows. Instead of donning a hazmat suit and spraying everything in sight with “weed/bug/everything in nature killer” - I'm going to be trying out some natural approaches first. Here's what I've found. MOSQUITO RELIEF. I am a mosquito magnet. Come summer time, enjoying a nice cup of coffee or glass of wine on the patio instantly becomes an infuriating game of slapping myself relentlessly. Most mainstream bug sprays are almost not even worth it to me. You smell awful and remain oil slick for the rest of the day. Not to mention the fact that you're creating a haze of chemicals for you and your family. Essential oils are a great option to create a DIY natural spray option. Try oils like peppermint, cedarwood, ylang ylang, arborvitae, lavender and lemongrass. You should also make sure there is no stagnant water in your yard as this turns into a breeding ground for the suckers. PLANT PROTECTION. Whether a house plant or your prized peony bushes, tiny chompers can take the whole thing down. Essential oils to the rescue again! Try combining fifteen to twenty ounces of peppermint oil with water in a sixteen ounce spray bottle.
40 SPRING 2020
Spray each plant, making sure to cover the stems and undersides of the leaves as well. Use after each rainfall. Planting garlic, parsley or basil among your flowers will also deter bugs. Marigolds also work well. Just plant them as an edging around the garden. WEED KILLER. Our new home's flower beds were basically weed beds, so we purchased our first hoe and basically started from scratch. Basic maintenance requires pulling whatever pops up by hand. For a natural weed-killing spray, here's what I found: Combine one gallon white vinegar, one cup salt, and one tablespoon natural dish soap in a spray bottle and treat weeds at the sunniest time of day for best results. You may have to apply multiple treatments to keep weeds at bay, but it's harmless and inexpensive, so it's worth a shot! FERTILIZER. While compost bins are not something I plan to dive into anytime soon, there are tons of ways to use your organic food waste in your gardening. Examples include egg shells, coffee grounds and even pasta water! If store bought is what you're after, at least get an organic option. TALK TO YOUR LANDSCAPER. If you're fortunate enough to have someone that takes care of your lawn for you, take the time to educate yourself on what's being sprayed or scattered on your yard. While we all want that “yard of the month” sign from the HOA, this is the space where we gather with friends, let the kids roll around and where our four-legged friends like to romp. Ask what they can provide or suggest as natural alternatives to the chemical-laden norm and maybe be okay with a weed or two popping up in lieu of perfection.