Skip the pesticides and use alternatives to spray for black spot, insects, and other garden problems.

Recycle your grass and leaves back into the garden.

The use of cardboard and other paper products under these will provide both moisture and weed control. Makes wonderful pathways between rows in the garden.

Recycle the packing peanuts as fillers in the bottom of your large containers by placing them in a mesh potato bag or old nylons to prevent them from growing into the soil, for later problems.

Spend more time out in your garden to use less energy cooling your home.

Recycle empty toilet paper rolls or paper towels by cutting into 2-inch sections, placing soil and then seed.  Plant all in the garden and no throw-aways.

Roll your own seeding pots by investing in a wooden mold and your old newspapers.  Makes a 2 ½ paper pot that plants into the ground. Available from Gardener’s Supply Company 1-800-955-3370

To avoid having to remove your soiled shoes just to make a short trip into your home save grocery bags and step into one on each foot tie at the ankles, take care of business, then remove outside the door and back to the garden.

The use of full-strength white distilled vinegar kills weeds when poured directly on them.  This works well in crevices and cracks of walkways and driveways.

Discourage cats in the garden with the use of distilled white vinegar splashed around.

Keep your birdbaths clean by scrubbing it often with distilled white vinegar. Then rinse well.

Avoid skin problems after working in the garden by rinsing your hands in white distilled vinegar. Also works well in removing heavy stains on the hands.

Diatomaceous earth is a natural product made of fossilized shells and marine plants. Also works well as slug and snail control. Apply directly to anthills and other nests. Perfect flea control on pets, just rub into fur.  Will not harm animals,
Will not harm earthworms.

Mix one part water with one part milk to spray roses for black spot.  4 teaspoons baking soda per gallon of spray controls black spot, brown patch in lawn.

To control powdery mildew on cucumbers, eggplants, strawberries use ¼ oz. baking soda, per gallon of water, to make a spray.  Not a new idea - credited to a Russian plant pathologist in 1933.

Having your lawn mown at the 3-4 inch level will cut down on weeds and conserve moisture.

Fertilize with an organic alfalfa fertilizers. Will not create stripes on the lawn.

A mulching mower works to recycle clippings.

Annette Shrader
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