Be diverse.
Interplanting for diversity will protect your crops from succumbing to a single pest or illness.
Consider organic pesticide.
If you have no other choice, you may consider less toxic organic pesticides -- but be sure of the problem before you cure it.
Grow your own.
Organic gardening is not hard. You can follow the same rules that certified organic farmers do - use no pesticides or synthetic fertilizer.
Have a plan.
Consider which plants attract which insects, and which attract predatory bugs. Coordinate your pest control plan.
Inspect your plants.
Look for pests, but learn the difference between the beneficial insects (eg. ladybugs, parasitic wasps) and destructive pests.
It starts with the soil.
Add organic matter to create a rich soil for gardening.
Mulch your beds.
Mulching suppresses weeds, feeds the soil, and prevents erosion.
Rotate your crops.
The absence of synthetic fertilizer increases the need to rotate crops to sustain your soil.
Select the right plants.
Plants well suited to your climate, sun exposure, and soil will be healthy and naturally resistant to infestations.
Start slow.
Just starting? Try the relatively easy to grow carrots, radishes and beets, and add more choices over time.
Time your planting: Beans, cucumbers, squash.
Plant when lilac is in full bloom.
Time your planting: Beets, carrots, lettuce, spinach.
Plant when lilac is in first leaf.
Time your planting: Cabbage and broccoli.
Plant when catalpas and mockoranges bloom.
Time your planting: Corn.
Plant when apple blossoms start to fall.
Time your planting: Eggplant, melon and peppers.
Plant when irises bloom.
Time your planting: Peas.
Plant peas when forsythia and daffodils bloom.
Time your planting: Potatoes.
Plant potatoes when the first dandelion blooms, or when the shadbush flowers.
Time your planting: Tomatoes.
Plant when lily of the valley are in full bloom.
Try companion planting.
Select plants that are natural companions to place next to each other in the garden.
Use barriers.
Floating row covers keep moths away, yellow sticky tape catches flying pests, foil collars around the stalks will stop cut worms and many borers.
Watch for pests: caterpillars.
Watch for caterpillars to hatch when crab apples start to bloom.
Watch for pests: gypsy moths.
Watch for gypsy moths to hatch when the shadbush flowers.
Watch for pests: Mexican bean beetle.
Watch for the Mexican bean beetle larvae to hatch when foxglove flowers open.
Watch for pests: squash vine borer.
Watch for squash vine borer eggs to be laid when the chicory flowers.
Watch for pests:.
Watch for the Japanese beetles to arrive when the morning glory vines start to climb.
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