IPM IN THE GARDEN

A FAC TS H E E T F RO M S A F E R P E ST C O N T RO L P RO J E C T

eautiful lawns, gardens and parks can be maintained without using pesticides.
Pesticides kill indiscriminately, killing pests along with

Diversify and Modify

A garden with a variety of plants tends to have fewer pest problems. And, even if you do develop pest problems, your garden wont be totally damaged because pests often feed on select species of plants. Another good tip is to plant different plants each year and rotate the ones you repeat as it will make it harder for pests to find their favorite food source and become established in the garden.

their natural insect predators. This leads to the irony of pesticide use: once insect predators are eliminated, pest populations grow unchecked leading to ever-greater pesticide applications. Utilizing the basic principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), you can take charge of your garden without the use of pesticides, and inspire others to do the same.

Use Native Plant Material

The most effective and important part of an IPM program is to observe what is going on in your garden. Many serious disease or insect problems can be halted or brought under control early by the gardener who knows what to look for and regularly inspects (weekly) the plants in the garden. Look for evidence of insect infestations, such as aphids and beetles, and symptoms of disease such as wilting and fungus spores. Consider using native plant material whenever possible. These plants are ideally suited to your climate and soil types and will perform excellently with fewer pest and disease problems. In addition, native plants with their deep roots, will help with water absorption and filtration and reduce erosion. Look for nurseries that specialize in native plant materials.

Plant Selection
One of the most important ways to protect your plants health is to find the right plant for the right place. Chose plants that are welladapted to your climate, soil conditions, and available light levels. For instance, if you have a shady garden, plant shade-loving plants. A plant becomes weak when it tries to grow in a place for which it is not suited. A weak plant is more vulnerable to pests, and weeds are more likely to outcompete it for nutrients, water, and light.

Health Maintenance
Healthy plants are less pest-prone. Use disease free, certified seed if available. Otherwise, select insect and disease resistant varieties. If planting seedlings or juvenile plants, make sure theyre sturdy with well-developed root systems. Stay out of the garden when plants are wet with rain or dew to prevent spreading disease.

Water Correctly
Water in the mornings so plants have time to dry during the day. Avoid watering at night as it encourages fungal disease. If possible, use a drip irrigation system , a water delivery system that emits water directly at the soil level and avoids getting the leaves wet. Find out how much water your plants need; some plants prefer wet conditions, while others are drought tolerant. In general, deeper, less frequent watering is better for the plants than frequent shallow watering.

IPM IN THE GARDEN

A FAC TS H E E T F RO M S A F E R P E ST C O N T RO L P RO J E C T

Fertilize Correctly
Find out what nutrients your plants need and test your soil for the major nutrients nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P) to see how much you already have for your plants. When you understand what your plants fertilizer needs are you can adjust your program accordingly. Dont over-fertilize your garden, too much fertilizer organic or not can damage your plants as much as underfeeding, and can also pollute groundwater because the excess runs off.

Mulch bare space in your garden so weeds dont take advantage Mulch conserves moisture by protecting the water in the soil from evaporation.

Natural Pest Predators

Birds eat many insect pests. Encourage birds to visit your garden by providing bushes and trees on which they can perch and nest, water to drink, and food in the winter months. Be sure to change the water in the birth bath weekly to prevent mosquitoes from using it as a breeding site. Beneficial insects such as lacewings and lady beetles will eat your insect pests. Grow yellow flowers that provide nectar such as goldenrod as an alternate food source for beneficial insects (insects are attracted to yellow). When the beneficials run out of pests, theyll be encouraged to stick around and ward off any future infestations. If you have an outbreak of pests, dont panic. It usually takes a little time before the beneficial insects can overwhelm the pests. Still, if you need to supplement your population of beneficial insects many garden companies can send you a supply of these helpful bugs by mail.

Physical Controls
In the spring, cover your most vulnerable plants with horticultural fabric ( row cover) to prevent insects from eating or laying their eggs on leaves. Make sure you dont trap the insects IN! These fabric covers let sunshine and water in, and keeps the bugs out. Remember to take the cover off for pollination. Hand-pick insect eggs and larvae and remove infested leaves to keep small pest populations from becoming big problems. You can also knock pests off your plants with the spray from a hose or with a soapy water mix in a spray bottle. Be careful not to spray too hard and injure the leaves. There are also a number of excellent products that can be sprayed on your plants to protect them from insects. Many are available online or at garden centers.

Safer Pest Control Project is dedicated to reducing the health risks and environmental impacts of pesticides and promoting safer alternatives in Illinois.

25 E. Washington Suite 1515, Chicago, Illinois 60602 Tel: 312/641-5575 Fax: 312/641-5454 Web: www.spcpweb.org