Organic Pest Management

Don't let pests get the upper hand in your garden. Learn how to work with nature to grow a happy, healthy, and virtually pest-free garden!

7 Pests You Probably Have In The Garden

Author: Epic Gardening

This video goes over 7 of the most common pests offering recommendations for how to prevent and control them.

10 Organic Ways to Control Pests

Author: Self-Sufficient Me

The video shows 10 organic ways to get rid of pests in your garden by following simple tips to grow lots of fruit and vegetables!

Companion planting

Author: Growing in the Garden

Does companion planting work? The answer is yes, but maybe not how you think it does. Effective organic gardening techniques often implement many types of companion planting.

Pest ID and Management Basics and Guides

Printable Resources and Websites:

New England Garden Pest Primer: This short two-page primer from Community Garden Connections overviews seven common garden pests and organic methods of control, protection, and prevention.
Resource Guide for Organic Insect and Disease Management: This guide from Cornell University, The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and New York State Integrated Pest Management Program gives an extensive overview of crop-specific pests and diseases accompanied by organic methods of management. Note that this resource is designed for farm-scale production so recommendations may not be ideal for the home garden.

Books:

Bradley, F.M., Ellis, B.W., Martin, D.L., 2009. The Organic Gardener’s Handbook of natural insect and disease control. Rodale Press, New York, NY.
Homeyer, H. 2015. The New Hampshire gardener's companion: An Insider's guide to gardening in the granite state. (2nd ed). Rowman & Littlefield, Guilford, CT.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension. 1994. Smart gardener: A learning guide for home vegetable growers. (Bulletin #2282) Orono, ME: UMaine Cooperative Extension.

Companion Planting for Pest Control and Prevention

Printable Resources and Websites:

Companion Planting: This more detailed resource from ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture discusses the concept of companion planting to deter insects and promote healthy plant growth.
Companion Planting Online Guide: This article from Mother Earth News is written by the author of the book Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening, Louise Riotte, and provides tips and tricks on what plants make good companions.

Books:

Riotte, L. 1998. Carrots love tomatoes: Secrets of companion planting for successful gardening. (2nd ed.). Story Publishing, North Adams, MA.

Additional Pest Specific Resources

Ant Control: This resource from Community Garden Connections provides recommendations for organically controlling excessive ants in the vegetable garden.
Flea Beetle Control: This resource from ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture discusses organic methods of managing organically managing flea beetles.
Deterring Deer: This Guide from Michigan State University Extension provides some tips and tricks for keeping deer away from your vegetable garden.