Organic Gardening Tips: How to Keep Your Garden Healthy, Eco-Friendly, and Pesticide Free

I've been getting a lot of inquiries lately about how I keep my garden pesticide free which can be quite a feat here in northern Baja but if I can do it here, it can be done anywhere! Here are some great tips that I use to achieve a pesticide free, eco-friendly garden. Be sure to start with certified organic seeds, GMO - free seeds. I purchase mine from Seeds Of Change.

Your seeds germinate and begin to grow in the ground so starting with good soil is key! For me, it's all about composting! Not only is composting good for the soil and good for your plants; it's good for the eco-system as a whole. Composting101.com is a great resource whether you are new to composting or just want to brush up on your composting skills.

You've built up your soil, planted your seeds, and here come the bugs! Well, have no worries because there are lots of ways to keep your garden pest free naturally.

Cut up one whole unpeeled onion, 4 to 5 ounces of garlic bulbs and add to 3 liters of water in a saucepan. Next add a heaping tablespoon of cayenne pepper and simmer over a low heat for 20 minutes. Strain off the liquid into a glass container; not metal and not plastic! Store in the refrigerator and dilute one tablespoon in one liter of water when you are ready to use.

Spray on your plants to repel aphids, mosquitoes, onion flies, spider mites and rabbits. Those cute little critters love to forage in my garden but the garlic really seems to keep them away!

If your garden is prone to powdery molds, steep a handful of chives in a quart of water, let cool, and spray on plants affected by powdery molds.

Planting herbs amongst your fruits and vegetables is another thing I do for some added pest protection. I love to have fresh herbs so for me; it's a win - win situation!

Plant garlic and/or lemon balm around your tomatoes and fruit trees.

Plant chives around carrots.

Plant dill close to corn, cabbage, cucumbers lettuces, kale, spinach, and other leafy greens.

Don't plant dill close to fennel as they like to cross pollinate!

Plant parsley with your asparagus.

Plant rosemary near beans, carrots and cabbage.

Thyme will keep worms away from your cabbage.

Tarragon, marjoram, and lovage will protect just about everything.

Add some love, water regularly, and inch by inch, row by row, watch your garden bloom and grow!