Pest-free: Fight pests in the garden naturally
Even the most hospitable gardener doesn't want to welcome plant pests into their garden. These uninvited guests come on their own, but getting rid of them can be very stressful. Therefore, we asked our friends at Plantura what they recommend for pest control in the garden, without harming the environment, of course. Plantura is an absolute expert in sustainable gardening and natural pest control. The growing Plantura team has set itself the goal of balancing effectiveness and sustainability in their product range. We hope you enjoy reading.
Dear Plantura team, why should you control pests?
Plantura : "Plant pests can be found in every garden, and that's fine. As long as there's a balance between the pests and their predators, they don't pose a real problem. But this very balance of pests and beneficial organisms is lacking in many gardens. Why could this be? Reasons include a lack of refuge for beneficial insects, toxic pesticides, or very tidy, almost clinically clean gardens or even gravel gardens. As a result, the pests multiply massively as soon as a suitable host plant is planted. Only then do we notice that there are no suitable beneficial organisms available to take over the job. The many uncontrolled, multiplying pests weaken the plant, for example, by eating or damaging leaves, which the plant urgently needs for photosynthesis. As a result, the plant loses water, nutrients, and energy sources such as sugar and starch, and therefore cannot grow as well. As a result, the hoped-for blooms or harvest are reduced or even fail completely."
So it's okay in moderation, but difficult in large quantities?
Plantura : "Yes and no. Even if there isn't a mass proliferation, even a few pests can cause significant damage because they can transmit diseases. Aphids, for example, can pick up viruses while feeding on one plant, which they then pass on to the next. While these viruses can't harm us humans, in plants they can lead to sometimes dramatic growth problems and flowering and crop failures. For these reasons, pests should be tolerated in small numbers in the home and garden, but they should be controlled if they get out of hand." 
What are the most common pests
Plantura : "In the garden, slugs and aphids are at the top of the list of unwelcome guests. Both snails and aphids can infest many different plants, allowing them to spread quickly. But that doesn't apply to all slugs: House snails and Roman snails aren't your enemies. These two eat the eggs of voracious slugs and are therefore actually useful to us! In addition to snails and aphids, caterpillars can also be a nuisance. They are particularly noticeable because of their size and the way they eat leaves. Lovers of topiary or ornamental hedges fear the box tree moth. The caterpillars of this Asian butterfly specifically target box trees. And houseplants aren't spared from pests either. Aphids, spider mites, and fungus gnats can pose a particular challenge."
Different remedies for different pests?
Plantura : "Often, the first thing you turn to when faced with a pest infestation is a home remedy that your grandparents already used or that's a trendy new life hack. Generally, this isn't a bad idea for a minor infestation."
What to do about slugs?
Plantura : "For slugs, for example, salt is considered an old home remedy. However, using it is neither enjoyable nor beneficial for the garden. We also strongly advise against the famous beer trap. The smell is so attractive to slugs that even slugs from neighboring gardens will follow the scent of beer into your garden. A good home remedy, however, is to spread out boards under which you can collect the slugs when they hide in the morning."
What to do about aphids?
Plantura : "Soapsuds, oil-water mixtures, or nettle decoction are helpful home remedies for the frequently occurring aphids. For more severe infestations or if you don't feel like making your own sprays, we recommend using a biological pesticide."
Are there biological alternatives for pest control?
Plantura : "We strictly advise against synthetic products, as these can harm not only beneficial insects, but also pets and humans. Particularly effective organic products are neem oil-based products. Our Plantura Organic Pest-Free Neem relies on the natural active ingredient of this oil. This product can be used against a variety of biting or sucking insects in the home and garden. Best of all, Pest-Free Neem protects these important beneficial insects and is also completely harmless to bees. At Plantura, we only recommend products that are compatible with our vision of organic gardening.
However, as with all pesticides, it's important to carefully study the enclosed leaflet. You can also find all the relevant information on our website . This product also works against the notorious box tree moth, but we have a better option: Our Plantura Organic Moth-Free XenTari® is truly effective only against the moth's harmful caterpillars. It leaves any other insect, including pets and humans, completely unaffected.
How can I prevent an infestation?
Plantura : "Of course, it would be best for everyone involved if a mass proliferation of pests didn't occur in the first place. A natural, diverse garden is a very good prerequisite for this. Beneficial insects can hide here and find food for themselves and their offspring. Insects such as parasitic wasps, ladybugs, and lacewings are particularly helpful. You can encourage them, for example, with a flower meadow that is as untouched as possible and provide them with breeding and living spaces.
What else helps to prevent a severe pest infestation
Plantura : "You should adhere to the recommended crop rotation, just as our parents and grandparents did, and pay attention to diversity in the garden bed. Where many different plants grow, a specialized pest cannot multiply rapidly, but the more universal beneficial insects can constantly find food. You can also keep pests at bay by carefully choosing your neighbors in your garden bed. Strongly scented plants, such as lavender , rosemary , marigold , or garlic, can be placed next to endangered plants.
Last but not least, proper fertilization is also an important factor. Those who rely on organic, slow-release fertilizers are less likely to have problems with over-fertilized, susceptible plants. In contrast, mineral-fertilized plants are more likely to develop nutrient excesses or deficiencies. Both of these factors prevent the plant organism from defending itself against pests. Plants actually have a wide range of options: They produce defenses, cause sudden cell death, or cut off the supply of nutrients to pests. Healthy plants are much better at all of these things, which is why we at Plantura fundamentally rely on natural fertilizers with long-lasting organic effects.Exclusive discount for all Stadtgärtner readers!
Plantura : "We wish you a great (pest-free) gardening season and lots of gardening fun! If pests do bother you, you can get 15% off our Plantura Pest-Free Neem until August 31, 2020, with the code STADTGäRTNERXSCHäDLINGSFREI ."
