Those of us who truly enjoy gardening generally try to avoid problem situations that require the use of chemical pesticides. Application of pesticides is not the sort of chore that garden enthusiasts enjoy. Most garden enthusiasts are also concerned about the environment beyond the garden and find the use of potentially toxic chemicals to be objectionable. Consequently, many less toxic methods have been developed to control pests and diseases.

The most obvious remedy for disease or pests is limiting the selection of species for the garden to those that are not susceptible to the most prominent diseases and pests. For example, snapdragons are very susceptible to rust and powdery mildew and should not be grown if either of these diseases have been observed either among other species or snapdragons grown earlier.

The environments within the garden may be modified to gratify that which grows there, but should not be as conducive to disease and pest organisms. For example, roses that are often infected with rust and powdery mildew may experience serious problems in areas that are regularly moist and humid. However, roses grown where dry air is well circulated and irrigation is applied to the soil (avoiding foliage) in early morning may perform very well without pesticides. Many disease infestations may be remedied by adjustment of irrigation.

Many insect infestations are more easily controlled with applications of simple alternative ‘pesticides’ that are harmless to the environment. Insecticidal soaps that are similar to dish soap very effectively control aphid. (Many garden enthusiasts prefer to use dish soap; but you didn’t hear that from me.) A very dilute solution of soap that is more diluted than what dishes should be washed in, explodes (or implodes, I can’t remember which) the aphids as their bodily fluids react with the solution which is of a very different pH. Scale is very easily suffocated by horticultural oil that is no more detrimental to the environment than vegetable oil.

The West Valley Clean Water Program is also very concerned with the reduction of pesticide use and in minimizing the quantity of toxins that flow into drain water and ultimately into the San Francisco Bay. In order to promote the use of alternative pest control, The West Valley Clean Water Program has developed brochures describing environmentally respectful control procedures for pests that are commonly encountered in the garden as well as a few that may be encountered in the home. I have found these resources to be very informative and I will likely feature more specific topics throughout the year.

Some of the brochures that I recently received from the West Valley Clean Water Program are concerned with the control of ants, aphids, slugs and snails. Another brochure describes problem pesticides; those that are most toxic and harmful to the environment. Other issues address include selection of appropriate roses, lawn care, safe use of pesticides and attracting beneficial predatory insects to the garden and maintaining their populations. Any of these and other brochures or more information may be obtained by telephoning (408)354-5385 or (408)354-4734.