10 Organic Ways to Control Pests in the Garden

In this video, I show you my 10 top organic ways to get rid of pests in your garden. There's no need for harsh pesticides or chemicals just these simple tips to grow lots of fruit and vegetables!
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Self Sufficient Me is based on our small 3-acre property/homestead in SE Queensland Australia about 45kms north of Brisbane - the climate is subtropical (similar to Florida). I started Self Sufficient Me in 2011 as a blog website project where I document and write about backyard food growing, self-sufficiency, and urban farming in general. I love sharing my foodie and DIY adventures online so come along with me and let's get into it! Cheers, Mark :)

[@leek2serious]

6:59 We got to appreciate him taking his time to get dressed, put make up on, walk through a forest just to prove a point that he wasn’t in war And it all took 3 seconds

[@beanerschnitzel794]

Leak Le yep, he’s good people

[@stellaq3306]

Gotta luv that! 👍

[@patriciah1187]

Leak Le He doesn’t have on make-up, does he?

[@maxr100000]

Definitely the reason why I subbed!

[@Plantfreak_]

@@patriciah1187 the camo paint

[@blackprincegt]

I stand in my garden and yell hateful words and obscenities directed towards the pests. Works really well and I've only had the police commit me under the mental health Act once

[@asumani2657]

Hahaha

[@djnunya5153]

I do the same and thankfully live in the country so no neighbors to commit me. Not as effective as I hoped though.

[@blackprincegt]

@@djnunya5153 🤔.. maybe you need to get filthier with your language? I dunno about you but I rekn old mate Mark here would have a filthy potty mouth on him at times ay 😉😂

[@djnunya5153]

RottenPelican Hoof Ⓥ i am in the construction field so "dirty" language comes naturally lol

[@ronr.53400]

damnnnn 😆🤘

[@naturegirl8944]

I’ve used Vaseline on the stem of cucumber plants and was the first time I actually got heaps of cucumbers. Thanks for the tip.

[@artbycleatress]

What does the vaseline di?

[@naturegirl8944]

@@artbycleatress apply at beginning of vine it stops ants and crawling insects getting up to your crop.

[@littleblackfox1]

Ive watched the route my possum takes every night and found it tends to walk along the back fence. So I put a shelf up on the fence and every night I leave "sacrifices to the possum god" as my boyfriend puts it. Usually just fruit scraps, tomatos or any fruit I find with bug holes, or old fruit/veg from the fridge. Its a good way to not waste it and I find it completely distracts the possum so it doesnt go for my vege patch. Plus its a win win for everyone! because I got to see her with her baby only a few nights ago enjoying some mouldy strawberries I left in the fridge for too long 🙂

[@livefreedom1776]

I used to have this raccoon that would tear up our trash every night. So we started leaving him plates of food, just whatever we had that night and he quit making a mess every night😂

[@libbysevicke-jones3160]

I had a possum raiding my garden, favourable foods were the strawberry and raspberry leaves, and the parsley. The little bugger was even sleeping on to top of my peas! But what got me upset was the bugger destroying my new golden passion fruit. So out came the Timms trap. Baited with apple and cinnamon. Last night l was woken up by the noise of the trap. Bingo!!! My Aussie neighbours dogs, got a yummy breakfast treat this morning.

[@dawnsstar5918]

"Possum God".....love it !!

[@ireneb3433]

@@libbysevicke-jones3160 By "My Aussie neighbours dogs, got a yummy breakfast treat this morning" did you mean you killed the possums and fed them to the dogs? I thought possums were a protected species in Australia, no? (as opposed to NZ where I believe the army are called in to cull them)

[@becool365]

You know, I think this guy is just like an all round nice chap. Like one of those few genuinely nice people.

[@vincentconti3633]

Most of the people I know are basically good people....just who do you hang around with?

[@stellaq3306]

Stefano Dawg yeh it’s definitely getting worse. I stay home a lot cos 90% of people give me the absolute 💩s.

[@davidkhan1928]

I agree seems like such a honest straight forward guy and maybe that's the reason for his success

[@banhatlessducks]

Reminds me of my dad, also a former solider and got me into growing food since I was small

[@Smileyson58]

I know he and mis wife had careers in the military. He’s hard core ❤️

[@lspthrattan]

Your advice about keeping chickens to eat the bugs is spot-on. I remember asking an old farmer in his eighties, about forty years ago, why a particular field was fenced with mesh instead of just barbed wire, as was customary. He told me that when he was a boy his family would plant that field with cotton, and as soon as the seedlings were big enough they would turn their herd of geese loose in that field. The geese ate all the bugs and weeds, but not the cotton, and probably left a good bit of fertilizer in the field in the process. Later they had nice fat geese to sell. I'm glad some of us are still keeping the good old ways alive. They worked then, they work now.

[@alexcarmichael5578]

Omlmom

[@hurstjames6199]

Hello how're you doing hope you and your family are safe due to the covid 19 pandemic?

[@billcat1840]

They are not so good for pest control on grapes and blueberries...they eat the immature fruits..

[@lspthrattan]

@@billcat1840 True; you might get away with having them clean up and fertilize them before they start to fruit, though, or after the harvest is complete for the year.

[@samhg3658]

Unfortunately for some cituations it isn't that spot on... The chickens I know would 100% eat the crops too. Were we live we actually had a problem with a neighbor's chickens invasion, they destroyed potatoes and also managed to KILL a banana tree. I would have caution dealing with chickens near crops.

[@boosiewoosie9215]

Mix olive oil, mint, lemon juice, ground garlic, cayenne/chili pepper...let it sit for a couple days...spray all over your garden...insects avoid the concoction and plants love it...zero chemicals...your welcome.

[@belindakoller9282]

How much of each do you put in

[@sharriceowens913]

1:26 healthy..they target sick or dying plants 2:00 growing at right time of year 3:00 harvest early 4:00 grow more 4:50 remove by hand 5:30 chicken and ducks eat pest 7:30 diversity instead of 1 massive crop 8:20 organic sprays, ring of vasiline 11:00 bio bugs like lady bugs 12:30 netting Raised beds and dogs

[@annegallagher8284]

Thanks Sharrice

[@AliensKillDevils.]

Vegan farming and cooking Robot. No Nuclear☢️, no gene-editing, no pesticides, no killing. No pesticides please. Pesticides have killed more humans, animals, insects than all wars combined. Even on Himalaya snow mountains, there are pesticides. Lots of farmers suicide, because they used pesticides to kill animals and insects. Angry souls of animals and insects revenge. Give 1/9 of food for animals, 1/9 for insects, 1/9 for souls who died and rest there. 1/9 for ancestors. 1/9 for souls I hurt and owe. 1/9 for Homeless humans animals insects. This is important. Can use Tesla car (made before 2021 May) radar to scan the area.

[@Blenduu]

You're 👏🏾 amazing!

[@yanikrisdiana1806]

Thanks sharrice

[@trubeast14]

Thank you very much Sharrice

[@Pinewoodpine]

That's 16 minutes well spent. It was like watching the Arts of War: Garden Edition.

[@stellaq3306]

Except the ammo is only slugs 😂

[@wickednotes1]

You are the Russel Crowe of gardening

[@daughteroftheking2979]

Ok, RIGHT!!

[@nukapuka]

☺👍

[@ericpro7471]

How can I get rid of slime mildew on the mulch around the Rose Garden with Organic will baking soda Epsom salt will help can you give me some ideas thank you have a good day

[@ericpro7471]

Please I need advice how to get rid of it on the slimy mildew on the mulch around the Roses?

[@the_cosmic_cowboy12]

Dude he is! Love these videos.

[@Yora21]

In commercial gardening, we call sacrificial plants Indicator Plants. When pests are in the area, they will first swarm the indicator plant that they prefer over your crop, and you can see them showing severe damage before your crop is being affected. This can give you very valuable time if you want to fight the pests before the crop gets damaged.

[@gavreynolds2689]

That's a good tip.

[@jeriedwards5540]

And spiders. I had ground wood spiders in my garden. I was going o kill them when my mother said Do you have any trouble with other pests? I replied as a matter of fact I don't. It was then that I realized the spiders were eating the bad bugs and letting the birds in the garden. Because they would see the little spiders running around on the soil and would fly in and get all the pests. My grandmother who was the wife of a farmer would take her soapy dish water out to the garden and pour over her cabbage to keep the miley worms off. It worked. My trouble was always fungus. Some years fungus would come in and take my squash and tomato plants out almost overnight.

[@chrisz.9974]

Is the indicator plant the same as the crop you’re growing? Or a more preferred plant that you can then treat the crop early?

[@farahijahromi]

@@chrisz.9974 I've seen in vineyards a rose plant is planted at the start of each row for the exact same reason. Apparently, they are more prone to fungus that grapes vines.

[@yeoldestuff]

@@chrisz.9974 typically they are a different species, e.g. it is often advised to plant nasturtiums alongside food crops because nasturtiums are more attractive to aphids

[@kimbeckner9240]

Farmers near us in Canada, will actually plant a couple rows of sweet corn around the exterior of their field and cattle corn inside. This stops the raccoons at the outside edge and prevents them from attacking their crops. So, sacrificial plants are a GREAT organic method of controlling predators.

[@wdanielsimmons]

We finally found a way to control animals in our garden (such as raccoons, possums, and deer), and it is cheap, simple and effective. After struggling for years watching raccoons eat up virtually all of our apples we finally decided to try using fencing a different way. By laying it down on the ground around the trees they were completely thwarted. We like to use something like chicken wire or something slightly more heavy duty, but it should be unstable for them to walk on, and it's also great if it has wires that can poke the feet of possums and 'coons (for deer the less stability that it has the better). All animals are careful to take care of their feet (and I think that they are a little suspicious about such man-made obstacles), but since we wear shoes we don't have any problem stepping on the fencing. Anyway, it has saved our apple harvests as well as our roses from our animal friends.

[@wavegod8096]

That’s a really good method

[@EdmundasDegys]

This works so great! I personally used plastic garden fencing mesh for my blackcurrant. My dog and cat kept digging up the roots so I cut the mesh in half and layed it around, since I did it no more incidents :)))

[@DJDJDJ777]

This sounds like a bear unwelcome mat, but without the nails! Yes, I have unwelcome mats and they really work for bears, along with pinesol, which bears can’t stand the scent of……

[@MM-qb9is]

Amazing!

[@southindianrailfan1803]

Organic way to control pig?

[@raininthespringtime]

Nothing cooler than a well informed guy with a sense of humor 😉😆😆😉... Thanks so much for the info!

[@crism4932]

Hi Mark, I know this is old video but, wanted to share. Here in Colorado I had terrible time with cabbage moth and tomato worms every year until I found this trick!! I use cayenne pepper when my plants are young. I sprinkle the cayenne pepper directly onto the plants and when the moth butterflies come around to lay eggs they either get burned when landing on the plant or get confused by the smell of the plant. When I direct sprinkle on the plant, I use just a little not to burn the plants. I also use it when planting peas and beans, sprinkle in ground, place seeds, cover, water, no more cut worms, or Rolly Polly's. However, I do loose a few worms. I also sprinkle on my corn when the silk appears, no more ear pincher bugs. You can also make it into a liquid spray. 1/4 cup powdered cayenne per gallon of water. Take 1 cup into spray bottle add another cup of water shake and spray. All organic. Disclaimer: may not work in all areas of country or world, just have to try to see if it works in your area.

[@mygodisthemoon]

My great grandma did the same. I'll have to ask my mom if she remembers what she used to use in her homemade pest spray, I remember she put a pinch of cayenne pepper and a few other things in spray bottle with water and used it on her rose bushes. That spray and her dedication to the roses made for some beautiful blooms

[@dana102083]

Im in Canada and my parents stopped growing cabbage because of the moths. They grew hot peppers just to try and they think black pepper is hot lol so will have to get them to try. Im sure they'll have a few burning tears over it but we do love our cabbage as Ukrainian folks! Thanks for the tip. How long have you used this method? We are just east of the rocky mountains but dont get as hot as you do. Cheers!

[@crism4932]

@@dana102083 hi, thank you, I have been using this method now for at least 10 years. I also use it on corn to get rid of the earwig bugs. They creep me out! It's also a little weird because the powdered cayenne pepper also seems to make my corn sweeter. Good luck!

[@ann7318]

@@crism4932 I use cayenne or black pepper in my houseplants to keep my cats out. I will try your trick soon. thanks.

[@louannmckethan3350]

​@@crism4932 Plz tell me how to put it on my corn, its already 4 ft tall so is it too late?

[@ItzRetz]

My first ever tomato plant is doing decently well and I noticed today that one of the flowers was pollinated and there's a tiny green tomato in it, I never thought I'd be so excited and proud over a single cherry tomato. I plan on taking the seeds out of the tomato if it grows and planting them in more places in the garden.

[@robbiebanks9182]

Use the sucker branchs you nip off as cuttings root really easy an don.t take time seeds do

[@carolempluckrose4188]

Robbie, be a darling and tell, in detail please, exactly what you do? Do you use seed and cutting compost and gel rooting products? Thank you. Best wishes, Carole.

[@robbiebanks9182]

@@carolempluckrose4188 no they root really easy i w.ld have bout 10 %pearlite rest any soil thats not over fertilised stick cutting .sucker branch .stick into soil an water well .and keep outta direct sun .within 7 to 10 days should have perked up an rooted w.ld leave in pot u root in for month b.fore transplanting on .they are really easy to root.i don.t use any rooting powder or gel .i don.t but think added micoriza in hole you put branch in would probably b an advantage for root development .if cuttings look bit sad after putting in pot u c.ld mist them with sprayer .hope that helped good growing

[@lolrollerlol]

Dont bother collecting seeds - once you plant cherry tomato you will have them sprout up everywhere for years!! Great little surprise to have hundreds of tomatos pop up in your garden.

[@torphotographic2888]

"Pick your crop early" The number of times I have walked around my garden and thought that's nearly ready I will that pick tonight only to go back and find a pest has beaten me to it. This is great advice. I don't mind sharing a little of my crop but too often the local bird life can just decimate produce that I have worked so hard for.

[@serenemountain6769]

It was not covered on this video, but many Aromatic Herbs, are Natural Pesticides, "The smell make the bugs go away" some can be put in vases and putted in key areas when needed, or planted around or with the pretended crop !

[@cominooculto]

Its fine we cannot stop nature i think his best advice was over grow plant many of the produce you need and that would be the best trick.

[@serenemountain6769]

@@cominooculto Yeah, 1/3 for us, 1/3 for the birds and 1/3 for the Bugs, what could go wrong

[@mohammadalsharhani2904]

@@serenemountain6769 everything!

[@serenemountain6769]

@@mohammadalsharhani2904 lol

[@adamkrasneski3679]

8:35 that bird just beat the crap outta that grub lol. I need some of those birds in my garden

[@gayleb9520]

Did it what! 🙊

[@gemfyre855]

It's a Noisy Miner - very common in eastern Australia. I like in Perth in Western Australia. When I lived at my parent's house a few years ago their grapevine was located right outside my window. One day I watched a Shining Bronze Cuckoo take multiple HUGE spiky caterpillars off the grapevine, beat them soundly then gulp them down.

[@mylavenda1]

You have such a dad vibe. Especially with hosing off the bugs. I love it! Thank you for your videos.

[@radosvetav]

Instead of vaseline, builder's lime (Calcium hydroxide) is used very often here in Bulgaria. You just paint the trunk of tree up to about a meter from the ground, so climbing pests can't go up. Needs refreshing two or three times a year.

[@musamusashi]

Very common also in the Caribbean and other tropical regions.

[@susanbowman2054]

I put some Vaseline around the lower part of my mandarin trees and it started to ring bark it, not good idea to use on trees

[@susanbowman2054]

Grasshoppers are awful eat all my kale and spinach, but I think they are the sacrifice plants, but I’m concerned that if I plant more I will just have more grasshoppers😢

[@susanbowman2054]

Thank you

[@dorothy7743]

Grasshoppers are my biggest issue as well! Nothing I have sprayed works, and I cannot have either chickens or ducks in town where i live. Even my cat won't catch them.

[@sdb9884]

I love how you put the names of the plants throughout the video, even if they are just in the background. You have a beautiful garden! For pests, I use neem oil mixed with water and spray it on with a pump mister.

[@NopeAndYep]

Back when I was in Nam... Hahaha. Like the camo paint, the Rambo of gardening!

[@ericbishop2369]

had a real good laugh at that moment, cant believe he went out of his way to do that. great content

[@jennhoff03]

I love that you told us what DOESN'T work along with what does. You're the best!

[@hurstjames6199]

Hello how're you doing hope you and your family are safe due to the covid 19 pandemic?

[@Paula-wn6do]

Beer traps worked really well for me last year, attracting loads of slugs and snails away from new seedlings. If you know someone who tried home brewing and gave up after their first awful, failed attempt, see if you can borrow their 25 litre brew tub and make up a batch. It's really easy to prepare (and no need for the beer to go through a second fermentation to get some bubbles) and I even diluted the end-product beer by up to 50% to make it go further. It was still effective. A few shallow containers strategically placed around my veggie seedlings did the trick, as well as a daily scan and manual snail removal. Luckily my dog was not at all attracted to the beer but that could be something to watch out for, if you have pets.

[@jakesimpson64]

If you brew the beer without hops it won't be poisonous to dogs. Obviously you don't want to get your dog drunk, but hops are the worst part of the beer for them

[@thomasdedman4894]

Your attitude is contagious, thank you for the smiles!

[@woden_the_wanderer]

Definitely. I watch this channel a lot and all I want to do after it is working my garden.

[@monkeybones101]

I accidentally came across your videos this evening and... I may have started binge watching. My husband and I are new to gardening and we got hooked on your videos after one for composting (since we are just starting one) popped up in my feed. Thanks for sharing these videos :)

[@graemeroberts4337]

Horatio KJV Bible possibly. But it’s also possible that she has searched for or watched other gardening videos (like I have) & it popped up in her suggestion list. Yes, many devices & algorithms are evil. But some are helpful. ✌🏽

[@matthewkyle7763]

Thank you for making this video a lot of great ideas for people to learn about when I grow different types of fruit and veg I used chilli in water to spray on everything and it worked great and if you put chilli flakes in water leave it for a few days and use a rag or filter e.g strainer to remove the chilli flakes and then be able to spay it with no problems and keep the chilli flakes to use again 2 or 3 times and then saves money but only costs a few dollars anyway to stay bug free all year and nothing will go near anything you put it on ever and all organic.

[@matthewkyle7763]

Thank you for posting take care and stay safe and keep up the great work. To find God alive on earth at the end of The Lords Prayer say I baptise myself in the name of JESUS and I make this prayer in the name of JESUS amen stand and knell again and at the end of The Lords Prayer say Lord JESUS I need a miracle please please have my angels lead me to find God alive on earth right now I make this prayer in the name of JESUS amen. It can take 24 to 48 hour for your angels to tell you so believe and pray once a day until you are told JESUS loves you for your great works to help others be saved.God bless you and your family and friends peace be with you all. At the end of The Lords Prayer say Lord JESUS I need a miracle please please put a good man in front of me that will pray with me and help me raise a family filled with love and happiness for ever more I make this prayer in the name of JESUS amen. God answers all prayers for miracles so always ask for one every single time you pray at the end of The Lords Prayer say Lords JESUS I need a miracle please please ? Ask for whatever you want and say I make this prayer in the name of JESUS amen.

[@matthewkyle7763]

Thank you for highlighting my comment brother JESUS loves you forevermore. 🙏🍋🍌🍍🍎🍏🍐🍑

[@sharonhochberg3671]

I wonder if you boil the chili flakes, if it makes them more potent repellent.

[@muhammadnawaz5039]

​@@sharonhochberg3671 maybe give it a try by doing as you suggest: boil the chilli flakes

[@leeming1317]

8:18 Thats an amazing shot of the bird finding food mark. It reminds me of going to the dentist they would have a 'treasure chest' for the kids to pick out a toy. I always got the sticky hand -- and when the catipillar wrapped itself around the trellis it reminded me of that as a kid. Haha

[@conflectiz]

Man I just love the sound of your voice. So soothing. I feel like I’m standing right there with you.

[@lynbar08]

Aussie accent.

[@now-zw6in]

Reminds. Me of Jimmy crocket🐊

[@tiffanybecker1591]

It is soothing!

[@cheryl1766]

I agree. The ( a lot of ) American gardening videos are too over the top ..put me off watching. YO WHOA LOOK AT MY MELONS YEEHAA

[@helenebennie3961]

@@lynbar08 True but I had a neighbour who had a cockatoo and when she was talking to it you couldn't tell whether it was her or the cockatoo. LOL.

[@vanjames9962]

Hello Mark, I come from VietNam where we are learning how to develop organic agriculture. I was so happy when watching the videos on your channel. Great. I am a university student in agriculture of Vietnam and I look forward to learning more stories from you. Hope I can contact you 🙂🙂🙂

[@mmm-uw1ep]

I ended up with a new garden predator a few years back when the red lily beetle made its appearance in Canada. After they decimated my garden I took my one remaining plant and placed scallions all around it. I have only had to hand pick one pair off my lily since then. It was only an experiment but it seems to be working. Thank you for your great wealth of information and hope you have a fair dinkum day mate :)

[@robbiebanks9182]

Can.t help but wonder are u originally from my native northern ireland as usually the trendy chefs refer to spring onions .always known em here as scallions ?

[@BethyS13]

As always great tips and fantastic attitude 😁 herbs are definitely great for planting around, my partner read lots about companion planting and it really does work! Marigolds and nasturtiums dotted around can distract bugs from eating the veg, and he planted dill between the broccoli - this was right next to a cabbage patch with no herbs, the broccoli were untouched, the cabbages were ravaged and full on caterpillars but the time he pulled them. Lesson learnt and there will be lots more herbs planted all about next year! On the topic of companion planting, he put peas in the middle of a lettuce bed, our lettuces were the earliest and biggest on the allotment for a good month before others, the peas feeding nitrogen back into the soil is such a wonderful way to naturally fertilise other plants. The peas have been wonderful from that bed too! 💚

[@karenhockingkarenhocking9716]

Brilliant tip! 👍 Thank you! 😍

[@MandarkPsuedonym]

I laughed when you said "and most small animals" whilst showing a child eating a mango.

[@barbarapommier5219]

Children are not animals

[@MandarkPsuedonym]

@@barbarapommier5219 since all humans are animals, children are animals as well. As for whether or not the child acts like a wild animal, that depends on how it was brought up.

[@HGCUPCAKES]

@@barbarapommier5219 🤣🤣🤣

[@T0mtoma]

Human and animals are two deferent living things,Humans aren’t animals.

[@lamaritima8595]

@@T0mtoma some humans are far worse than animals.

[@dianerogers8020]

I like how you show the name of the trees in the frame. Thanks! And I learned that ducks like stink bugs, I wonder if anyone in the US Midwest has found they like these awful stink bugs that get on melons and squash??? I love your videos btw!

[@pherhymeswithamc6399]

i think youre thinking of squash bugs. they look similar to stink bugs but have a longer body. for those, if you wet the plant they will come out of hiding and then you can spray them with soap water. it will kill them nearly instantly. it wont always kill the eggs that attach under the leaves but if you kill the adults they cant mate. also some varieties of squash are more resistant to them.

[@aliciab6193]

I was wondering that too. I live in Midwest and the squash bugs are awful!

[@doriswhite1348]

I'm in the Midwest (Missouri). Landlady let me have a small patch for flowers. Only one of my impatiens plants got a flower and something ate it. Will try that oil/detergent spray. Flowers on the balcony are fine, but something has munched on a few of my basil leaves. Maybe one of my cats got to them. No stink bugs. Not growing much.

[@karaamundson3964]

And the Harlequin stink bugs are even more rugged!

[@berylwilson6685]

Hi Mark, it’s been awhile since I’ve watched your videos as we left eastern Australia and headed to Western Australia for 12 months caravan holiday. We’ve now settled on 1/2 acre plot in the south of W.A. on the edge of the wheat belt with closed borders and little Covid so far. I have 24 mature fruit trees and the infra structure of 5 big raised vegie beds that haven’t been used in 4 years. I have spent 6 weeks collecting the green waste each afternoon from the supermarket and burying it in the beds.I now have worms and vegies already producing. Keep up the great work of educating us to be self sustainable. 💚

[@stoneclod71]

❤ this. Welcome to WA South. You are living my plans. Great work

[@helenahandbasket1489]

Thank you so much! I was trying all sorts of things to keep from using pesticide for aphids that were all over my pepper plants and starting on my tomatoes. They can back after spraying them off and soap and water didn't affect them, but your oil and soap mix did. I added some ginger paste too. And I'm so glad I didn't use pesticide because I found a ladybug this morning! Thank you, thank you!

[@keepfocus1214]

The nam shot was enough to cough up my coffee I laughed so hard.

[@malac82]

Common Nettle is commonly used in Serbia...you just cut it, put it overnight in water, and use the water to sprinkle your crops...it works for many pests, it is free and it is organic!

[@digs1223]

I'm going to give that one a try on the aphids all over my apple trees

[@Igniting-Moments]

Thanks so much. I will have to try.

[@thehumblecompanions2703]

What's common nettle?

[@rm6857]

@@thehumblecompanions2703 google that plant bro

[@tos0452]

Yep, works like a charm

[@kleopatra6234]

I compost kitchen scraps and put them in one large spot in my back Garden. I have rules that I go by. I never add the following to my kitchen scraps -- no meat/bones/grizzle or other meat products, no dairy products, no fat products like olive oil, etc. I do use dead lettuces/tomatoes all veggies and fruits, eggshells which I crush up small which makes it easier for my worms to use, bread products, tea pouches which I cut up also. I even put in paper towels(ripped up). I have the best compost for my garden. I live in South Lake Tahoe, California. We have to watch out for bears, coyotes, raccoons, ferrets, bobcats and neighborhood dogs. I use a Green Cone in the Winter time but dig the scraps right into my soil in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Your 10 Garden Vegetables to Grow show was superb. Thanks for the info.

[@Aileen-68]

Your family is very lucky to have you...

[@northerntins712]

I love the shot of the minor bird putting in work on that bloody grub, was beautiful haha

[@AllotmentGrowHow]

I've definitely grown sacrificial plants to deter pests from the main crop. Your vids are top dollar Mark and contain really useful tips ... and the 'When I was in Nam' moment was pure comedy. I loved it. Keep the videos and the comical moments coming mate... they are a refreshing change to rest of the other gardening videos. Cheers Adam

[@matthewraabe]

I am learning the best Dad jokes from him!

[@AllotmentGrowHow]

@@matthewraabe I think they are brilliant :-)

[@TruckTaxiMoveIt]

I too like the comedy. As for the sacrificial crop I feel that although you're doing good for the present crop, you may be actually feeding and enlarging the Family of pests for tomorrow.

[@FM-qm5xs]

Some weeds make great sacrificial crops as well. After seeing a sow thistle coated in aphids I make sure to leave a couple of them for the bugs to attack when I weed.

[@ireneb3433]

I often see plants I'd like to get for mysef in KZbin videos but am left wondering what they are, so thank you very much for throwing in the plant names for us ... much appreciated!

[@andrewmcintyre8774]

Thanks Mark , you're giving us an education and a laugh at the same time.....love your work ethic mate. Keep up the great work , it is very much appreciated.

[@HecJ]

This is the Steve Irwin of plants

[@lyntaylor4131]

Yeah that's exactly what I was thinking 😊 hes great!!!

[@mattpeacock5208]

He even sais "Krikey". I doubt I spelled that right.

[@Tashy414]

Omgggg so true lol

[@gernblenstein1541]

And without antagonizing the plants!

[@kelzbee4981]

Ha I was thinking the same

[@sharoncarthy1820]

When I had a garden, I spent most of my time in it. The more attention given to a garden, the better it gets. Mark, your garden's magnificent!

[@moodysowidan]

He is a pure joy to watch. Thumbs up

[@lanivieorganicgarden]

I am a begginer farmer and having problem with insects in my backyard garden and your videos help me a lot. Thank you for sharing this video and amazingly done eventhough the weather is horribly warm! Thumbs up 😁

[@davidcoley8500]

You are by far the best gardener on KZbin! I've been learning from KZbin for 5+ years, and you take the crown every time! Keep it up, brother! Pesce, Dave from Texas

[@winnipegnick]

I agree with this comment. :-)

[@engredlisthrop7313]

Wow you have an excellent garden an such a variety of fruits and vegetables, very health keep up the good work. Thank you for sharing.

[@asavedsinner3453]

I make a dust for my garden that repels insects as well as some animals. 1 cup all purpose flour. 1 tablespoon garlic power 1 tbsp onion powder 1 tbsp ground cayenne or red pepper 1 tbsp chili power. Mix as needed. If you have trouble with caterpillars and slugs add 1 cup wood ash to mix above. Dust plants after watering or while few is still on leaves be sure to get underside of leaves also. Sprinle on ground to dripline too.

[@asavedsinner3453]

Dew. Lol

[@bon47ful]

Great idea! Going to mix up a batch. For the wood ash, can I just burn some wood and collect the ash afterwards? Ty.

[@singlemalt1972]

If it doesn't work at least the caterpillars will be nicely seasoned!

[@serenemountain6769]

cinnamon is also used, but strategically planting Aromatic herbs that serve as natural insect repellents is the way to go!

[@sevensfist_com]

8:30 That bird smashing the caterpillar before devouring was somewhat satisfying to watch I must say!👊🤠👍

[@gernblenstein1541]

Brilliant video! I also use aluminum foil "capes" or "tents" over tomato clusters in my smaller garden and it seems to completely deter the birds and squirrels. Having had cats in the past they love to hide among the plants and are very effective at deterring larger critters. Floating row cover is a great solution to cabbage moth!

[@stevow1987]

I wanted you to know i listen to you in my pocket while in the garden and I'm educated while I work its beautiful

[@shaarcia7616]

You, sir, are a breath of fresh air. Thank you for creating this channel! You're awesome!

[@Rethaxian]

I''ve heard of eggshells loose around the base of cabbages and lettuce, is very good against snails and slugs - the shells are unique and can cut into the slugs and snails. Makes it unpleasant for them to crawl around on.

[@caseytanner9887]

Incredibly helpful knowledge and very smart humor. Love your stuff, Mark!

[@donnyfromsandiego4455]

also, Neem Oil (research for the good stuff) + Organic Dishsoap + Water in Spray bottle. great for tomato plants..

[@emmapeel1075]

Donny Blough : I live in Northern Illinois and use Neem Oil and WD 40, yes, WD 40 to ward off stink bugs. I will use neem oil and cayenne pepper for the Japanese beetle grubs that are in the soil. The problem with neem oil is that it will kill the good pollinators. We need the bees. Be careful !

[@johnniewoodard648]

@@emmapeel1075 Thank You, did not know that about neem oil and bees.

[@peterheinz3375]

@@emmapeel1075 neem oil doesn't harm bees. Insects need to eat the treated plant to be affected :)

[@MsRosecrystal]

Also kills honey bees, neem oil is bad.

[@karaamundson3964]

Great for lots of plants, watch out for bees

[@JamieBainbridge]

Did you go to all the trouble of dressing up like Rambo for that fraction of a second of joke? Hahaha you absolute legend.

[@hyperion3145]

No, that's actually him in 'Nam

[@ByeByeButterfree]

Watching your channel has given me the confidence to attempt starting my own potato, herb and veg container garden this year! I’ve already got one potato plant sprouting, and my tomato plants are taking off. I never knew how exciting watching plants grow could be! 😅

[@user-py1fs8mk5c]

I love the healthy plant tip. I'm a very amateur gardener, and I only have a deck. My first year, I tried to grow bell peppers. They got big, but as soon as they started to ripen, something was attacking them. What I didn't realize was I wasn't feeding the plant. I finally learned that the soil needed to be healthy. I also changed to growing mini peppers. Both tactics worked.

[@thecatguy4301]

Dude, you crack me up. That 2 second clip of you dressed up like Platoon was freakin funny. I don't think most ppl watching even noticed it. Hahaha

[@charitychongo1037]

Thank you for the information. I find it educative. I will implement some In my backyard garden

[@fliggityboo8687]

I love these videos, I'm learning so much, these are amazing for folks who didn't have someone to teach them about this stuff growing up, or for those who foolishly couldn't find and interest in it during childhood(like I). These are methods i'll be teaching to my friends, then to my kids one day, thanks for providing that. I plan on becoming a contributor the moment I am able to, trust that.

[@nikkinik4188]

LOVE this dude! Rock on witcha badass! 👊🤘

[@StoutShako]

You've got such a calming energy, man! Perfect for depression-binging lol

[@oreogiri]

Greetings from Bangalore, India. As always I love watching and learning from your detailed videos. Thank you. I have a very small home garden wherein I grow my daily used vegetables. I have come to accept that some amount loss is to be borne if I want to grow my veggies organically. Rather that than use chemical pesticides. Just two small things in addition to your efforts : I mix Neem oil with dish soap and baking soda as a general pesticide spray. Works well some times . I grow Tulsi in lieu of Basil - they are cousins - and Marigold. Both help to some extent. Tulsi helps keep mosquitoes at bay too, again to some extent. A clarification please : Will smearing Vaseline help deter slugs and snails? I now put some asafoetida around the base of plants. It is a continuous battle I suppose.

[@drowningbanana3890]

I've found slugs and snails will avoid metal where they can, copper especially. Try making a little copper fence around the plants and seeing if that works.

[@Elixan1]

Wow, I can't believe you got this video done with all that wind, I'm blown away...

[@Emp4th]

I've had ants make a bridge with small bits of dirt to climb over the vaselline! It only worked for about a day or 2 before they figured it out... they really LOVE that sorrel bush.

[@cominooculto]

Ants are craaazy smart we cannot fuck em over

[@annegallagher8284]

Ants are so smart. I'm at war with them. They are winning presently. They hide from me. I sprinkle talcum powder or corn flour on them and that stops them for 24 hours but they come back secretly. Tracking under long grass etc. But somewhere they surface and then I find them. They are all from my neighbors land, I don't complain as I don't want toxic pest controlling called in.

[@kirstenolson776]

I don't know if you would consider this an organic pesticide, but I found it very useful against scale on my house plants. Dilute rubbing alcohol with water and spray directly onto the scale using a little pump spray bottle--the kind sold for cosmetic products, not kitchen sprayers. It doesn't hurt the plant, it evaporates fast so that it doesn't leave a residue, and I could make it using what I already have in my home. I mix in a couple drops of essential oils (usually citrus oils) to make it smell nice.

[@kckillakrack9714]

Rubbing alcohol is not organic

[@thedailyworm3496]

Thank you so much for these tips. Someone told me to put hair from the barbershop around my garden perimeter. It works! Also to keep deer from jumping a fenced garden, use fishing line as a barrier fence. When they run into it they get spooked and dont dare to jump, as they dont know how tall it is. They cant gage how high to jump.

[@Lenergyiskey358]

I did that also to stop rabbits. The hair dresser was facinated when I asked her to save floor hair for me 😂 and yes it worked a treat

[@andrewglagau8685]

I live in Wangaratta, Northeast Victoria and have 5 long rows of 8 x 1 meter Kale growing. I found the white moth laying eggs which turn into grabs eating my kale leaves. So, I purchased some one meter lengths of skinny garden stakes and hammering them in the ground along the edges of the rows and draping curtain netting over the top works great. You can still water the garden the same as the water goes through the netting easily.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Great tip Andrew thanks for sharing! :)

[@davidbassani3914]

Your methods and ideas translate well to the Los Angeles area. I’m a garden designer who has used organic approaches for a decades. I do appreciate your clear presentations and have forwarded your posts to several of my clients and friends.

[@marlenedimmitt1475]

I absolutely love your garden!!! You have so much I can’t imagine how you keep up with it all. Love your channel and look forward to all your ideas.

[@paininmydroid4526]

What a gem of a channel. Bravo.

[@ewhite6172]

Thank you! thank you! for the vaseline tip!😄 I have been struggling with that very issue for a few years, and now I know what to do about those pesky ants.👍

[@nanettew4398]

I’ve used it on my Eureka lemon tree and it works beautifully! There was a snag though with my rough skinned Cape 🍋 lemon: I didn’t see that halfway up the street side of the tree a branch of the thorny hedge rose started acting as a bridge for the smart ants!

[@l.e.6263]

Ants use irrigation drip lines as bridges too.

[@jakep8678]

When I was growing weed out here in California I would boil chilli's in a pot for a few hours then use that water and spray the plants and it worked amazing

[@edsoderlind7568]

whoa brah thnx

[@nodeadflesh]

I do that too. I use habenaro and fresh garlic, LOW simmer, strain, and spray. Works great!

[@serenemountain6769]

hi, please, do you guys use it has an insecticide ??

[@nodeadflesh]

@serene mountain Yes, it makes a GREAT pepper spray as well.

[@jakep8678]

Yeah it's to strong for the insects but If you have good bugs like lady bugs and praying mantis they will run for the hills as well

[@tkaart2242]

Your advice was really good! Thanks for a such variety.

[@Finda1982]

I really love how your garden looks; especially the metal garden beds

[@everythingcoconutmore6933]

I am going to try the Vaseline trick around my lemon tree as it is covered in ants . Thanks for the tip

[@aquagrow5758]

Tanglefoot and flagging tape. Ants will build a bridge of dead comrades to get to your fruit. Tanglefoot has camphor in it as well so they are repelled by the scent. don’t use it directly on the bark, it will damage the tree. Wrap the stem with flagging tape and apply a band all around the circumference.

[@ssentamurobinah7551]

@@aquagrow5758 what's a tanglefoot

[@steventhechef1538]

You have to reapply the Vaseline every couple of days as it dries out. Works well though

[@NicholeLynne28]

These are some really great tips that people don't usually think about, thanks!

[@namiboosterhuizen6610]

Love your enthusiasm as well as your knowledge. I want to get out there to try all of them when the time comes. If I go outside in this winter weather I would be blown away!

[@MrsWorm2]

Thank you Sir for all your knowledge ! your property is everything a gardener wishes for. I apply so very much what you have taught me to my Garden here in Texas. thank you again our Garden Whisperer ! you are appreciated and needed .

[@TheBlinked1]

Spray your plants leaves with a mixture of water and cayenne pepper. Helps a lot and doesn't harm the plant.

[@Jeroenvdv]

Ratio? 1 liter of water, how much grams of pepper?

[@TheBlinked1]

@@Jeroenvdv -Two heaping tablespoons per gallon of water. So 1/2 - 1 tablespoon per liter. A few drops of liquid detergent or handsoap helps to thicken it.

[@Jeroenvdv]

@@TheBlinked1 thanks I'll try it out.

[@TheBlinked1]

@@Jeroenvdv -No problem.

[@nancyfahey7518]

I need to try this. I have some ghost peppers I don't know what to do with.

[@leeannebentley1538]

8:16 the bird wacking the bug against the post cracked me up! lol

[@hurstjames6199]

Hello how're you doing today hope you're safe due to the covid 19 pandemic?

[@vister6757]

Beautiful big field / garden. Thanks for the tips for pest control!

[@junbug9435]

Great video Mike, Thanks for all the tips and good tricks! You the best. Happy gardening.

[@sportymom5n2]

Thank you for taking the time to help us who are just getting started on our gardening journey!

[@insAneTunA]

I am trying something that I learned from Murray Hallam. A well known and well respected aquaponics gardener. I now use Molasses mixed with water and I spray that on my plants and bushes. I have a big buxus tree, approximately 4 meters high, and it had severe buxus moth. Caterpillars from the buxus moth were destroying the tree. Molasses is a leftover product from the sugar production and it is often used as a supplement for horses, but you can also use it to make whiskey. It's completely organic and absolutely non toxic and you can use it as much as you like and it is also completely safe for aquatic life. Caterpillars don't seem to like it, and so far my buxus tree is recovering pretty good. I still found a few caterpillars but in previous years I would find 30 to 50 caterpillars a day. But after I removed those few caterpillars that I found this year by hand I didn't find any new caterpillars and the leaves look untouched and healthy green. Molasses (melasse in Dutch language) looks a lot like syrup with the same consistency. Here in Holland You can buy it per 5 liter jerrycan. I mix a bit less then a cup with 10 liters of water and I spray it all on the tree. I started spraying as soon as the temperature came above 10 degrees Celsius. The first week or so I repeated the treatment a few times, especially after it had rained I sprayed again. I have not sprayed for at least two weeks now, and it is looking very good. I will spray again at least once every two weeks. I am not sure why the moth doesn't like the molasses. I believe that Murray Hallam said that healthy plants have a higher sugar content and that seems to be less desirable food for the caterpillars and maybe even other pests. Maybe it is because it makes the leaves sticky and hard for the moth tho lay their eggs. I am not sure. I am NOT a biological expert. In previous years I did use pyrethreum for my buxus tree but I stopped using it because it is nasty stuff and it is expensive and you can use it only two times a year and it kills other insects as well and it is bad for aquatic life, so you can't use it for an aquaponics garden or near a fishpond. Molasses also contains beneficial minerals and nutrients for plants and the bacterial life. As I said, Murray Hallam is a well known and well respected Aquaponics gardener. A pioneer in the field of aquaponics. Toxic pest control is a no go for aquaponics gardens because it would kill the fish, yes I said fish, and it would also kill the beneficial bacteria that you need to convert the fish waste into nutrients for your vegetables. Try Molasses mixed with water folks, it seems to work very good for my buxus tree. It is cheap, easy to buy and easy to apply with a standard spray bottle, it's completely organic, non toxic, it adds nutrients and minerals to your plants and grow beds, and you can apply it as often as you want, without losing common sense of course. Greets and peace from Holland.

[@myspacetimesaucegoog5632]

Nice idea, just check though the source of your molassas as sugarcane farmers may spray tons of toxic pesticides over their crops which can contaminate the molassas.

[@stacykimani1739]

Helpful thanks

[@insAneTunA]

@@myspacetimesaucegoog5632 It is used as a food supplement for horses, it is also used by very expensive horses that are used for sports. If it were toxic in any kind it would have showed up at medical examinations and blood tests of those horses. Expensive horses get tested more often and more extensively than the average person. Even if there were minimal traces, which I doubt since it is a leftover product that went through a whole cooking process, it would still be a whole lot better then pyrethreum or other poisons that kills other insects and aquatic life as well.

[@insAneTunA]

@@stacykimani1739 You're most welcome :-)

[@cjdutchess]

Neem oil and neem trees. it's a natural repellent and/or pesticide (depending on the bugs), it limits bugs reproductive systems, and it's also a good fertilizer. having a tree in your yard will deter pests from moving in, and the oil can be wiped on trouble spots or blanket sprayed. it's especially good against mealy bugs

[@Islamis4all]

"I’ve spread wood ash on grass areas where moss is trying to take over. If moss is allowed to grow, the built-up layers of dead moss will leach more acid into the soil until only moss and other acid-loving plants will grow there. The wood ash effectively ruins the soil for moss, killing it and encouraging grass to grow. I have greatly improved places in the lawn and pastures where moss was trying to take over. Lilacs, fruit trees, grapes and most garden plants benefit from wood ash application to the soil. I’ve found that the best time to apply the ash is in the winter. The snow catches the powdery ash and prevents it from blowing away. At the spring thaw, the ash causes snow to melt more quickly. The ashes rapidly settle onto and then into the ground. An example of the power of higher soil pH in the garden is my experience with tomatoes. When I began gardening, the tomatoes I got were very acidic tasting, so strong that they were nearly unpalatable. The next year I added lime in the holes dug for the transplanted tomato seedlings. The tomatoes grew better and their fruit was sweet and tasty, the way it should be. To keep the garden pH up, I broadcast wood ash over the plot in the winter. The ashes improve my tomatoes, corn, beets, carrots and squashes and cause the snow to melt more rapidly in the area, warming the soil sooner for earlier planting. So, don’t throw those wood ashes away. If you burn wood, save the ashes and use them yourself or give them to local farmers and gardeners. Wood ash is not trash, it is a valuable commodity."

[@UmarAlFarooq]

I am so jealous of that beautiful expansive land! You're doing great with it!!

[@aishaahmed3507]

Please forgive me for asking this, but why on the God’s Earth would you be so jealous of the man’s land which the the Almighty Lord has blessed him with?! Instead it would be much appreciated if you had stated, you have done a wonderful job cultivating your land and I hope you are blessed with much more to come! This way the Almighty Lord will take away that jealousy from your heart and blessings will also come your way. I have no intention of hurting you, please forgive me if I had said anything wrong.

[@UmarAlFarooq]

@@aishaahmed3507 you have said something wrong but I forgive you for your ignorance of western culture. What I said is purely complimentary and I am sure the poster of the video took it as such. I'd like to invite the person to correct me otherwise.

[@kungfusansooacademy1215]

Umar don't use those words only give you bad energy to yourself, you the one took it wrong. Is an American way to use the word "jealous" , some people use the word " proud", proud of your son, proud of your accomplishments, etc My goodness I'm glad you don't work for the Press or you will be part of the "Fake News"

[@UmarAlFarooq]

@@kungfusansooacademy1215 maybe you should stick to giving advice about Chinese and leave English to those who know. At least have some humility to learn when you don't know something.

[@JuliaBolotnikov-zn5pt]

Thanks Mark, very helpful advice

[@uchennaW]

Found this very helpful. Thanks a bunch🙏🏽

[@skyym3629]

I like using neem oil and Dr. Bronners castile soap with peppermint oil for an extra deterrent. I mix about one teaspoon of neem oil with one two teaspoons of Dr. Bronners liquid peppermint soap in about 6 cups of warm water and spray the leaves, surrounding ground and the main stock or trunk just after sundown. This seems to take care of the spider mites, aphids, powdery mildew and many other aggressive pests. It is completely non-toxic and the residual smell of the neem oil will completely fade in one to two days, so I never do this within one week of harvesting my produce. Thanks for the video and God bless brother.

[@NancyJGH]

Does this mix kill fungus flies on the compost (whitout killing the earth worms of course)?

[@skyym3629]

@@NancyJGH .... I don't use any type of chemicals in my raised garden and this mixture has never killed any worms. I'm pretty sure it will kill the fungus flies but you should do an internet search to make sure. like I stated I have never had a problem with it killing any worms, but I only give the ground a light spray when spraying the foliage. I think you're pretty safe using it, but I would still look up the info just to make sure. I started using this mixture when my tomato plants got bombarded by a massive swarm of spider mites and aphids and there were even webs all over the plants. I sprayed this on the plants (top and bottom of the leaves) about once every three or four days at sundown for two weeks. By week three, there was not one pest left to be found. I hope this helps and I wish you the best in your endeavors. God bless

[@DaMangChase]

Wow you have so many plants and trees!

[@michaelsuruko6234]

I am amazed by the the variety of fruits and vegies you grow.. excellent..

[@lauramacini6811]

08:35 that caterpillar 🐛 put up a pretty good fight! He wasn’t going down easy. I salute him! 🤘🏻

[@vickiemazzawi]

Poor guy completing the video was so much work for him more than working in his garden, bravo job well done.

[@chriscallaghan9895]

Heard about a good technique from a mate. She got home and went out the back. Her partner was down on his knees with all of the caterpillars he'd picked off of the plants lined up in a row. He was giving them a stern talking to and warning them not to do it again.

[@doreenbucheler1274]

Chris Callaghan ur so FUNNY 😂

[@liveinviolet2908]

Lol! 😂

[@kitikatter]

I do that too. Right before I offer them to the chooks. ;)

[@dellabryant7466]

Great video thank you! I'm using Neem Oil connected to my water hose when the sun goes down. Also use Garden Safe houseplant & insect killer. Also by Garden Safe a 3-in 1 fungicide and insect control which works great. Treat only after the sun goes down

[@jsnmad]

The wild life that visits this property is very diverse. That's just amazing.

[@forced2makethisbloodyaccou355]

We use to plant low lying flowers under the citrus trees, such as lady fingers, amaryllis, and other shade loving flowers. This created layers of protection from the trees, and the pollinating insects would roam from plant to plant. 👍