This Morning: Vanessa Feltz discusses gardening during lockdown
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Gardening naturally using products you already have in your home can save you money and also help you maintain a good ecosystem in your garden. No matter what size your garden is, pests can cause a multitude of problems. Michael Perry, Rowse’s Gardening expert has shared his tips on how to make your own pest control solution.
He said that eventually “pesticides and herbicides will become redundant”.
“Mostly as there’ll be plenty more natural predators there to do the job for you,” he added.
Mr Perry, who is also known as Mr Plant Geek on Instagram, said there are “tonnes of items” around the home you can use to “garden naturally”.
Using natural products will also encourage a more “laissez-fair style” in your garden.
Common garden pests included aphids, ants, carrot fly, cabbage whitefly and sawfly.
Some of these pests can be beneficial in small doses but they can also overwhelm and damage your plants.
To create a natural insecticide, Mr Perry recommended using soapy water.
He said: “If you have persistent aphid (small sap-sucking insects) problems, and you would prefer to eradicate them, then you’ll find soapy water as an easy option.
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“Mix up a weak solution and use it every two weeks on your affected plants using a sprayer.”
For blackspot, which is often found on roses, the gardening expert said to use baking soda and vegetable oil.
He explained: “Mix up one tablespoon of baking soda, one tablespoon of vegetable oil into a gallon of water and then spray both sides of the leaves.”
Another tip Mr Perry suggested is using other plants to discourage pests.
He said: “The scents of Basil, Marigolds (which are super bee-friendly) and Garlic planted near your prized plants and vegetables will deter aphids and the like.”
Mr Perry also said attracting predators into your garden could get rid of a lot of pests.
Hedgehogs, birds and small mammals are great for this.
He said: “They will sort your pests out for you!
“But, it’s not just about the larger creatures, remember ladybirds will feed on aphids too.
“The wider your plant selection, the more wildlife you can attract to your garden.
“So, take the wildlife baton and give natural gardening a go!
“It’s simple, it’s enjoyable and the bees will love you for it!”
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