Environmental Alternatives for the Garden

DEEP is continuing to carry out its mission and provide services while keeping both the public and our workforce safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for the latest updates on DEEP's response to COVID-19. DEEP COVID-19 Response

Household Alternatives - In The Lawn and Garden

Lawn and garden images

More people are becoming concerned about the effects of lawn and garden chemicals on children, pets and the environment. Many have begun using natural products on their lawns and in their gardens and are avoiding using pesticides.

Garden or Lawn Issue Non-Toxic Alternatives or Solutions

Monoculture

Planting

(e.g., lawns)
Companion planting is a cultural method to deter pests. Including certain plants throughout and around the garden can repel a variety of insects. These plants include nasturtium, tansy, euphoria, rue, dahlias, marigolds, aster, cosmos, coreopsis, garlic, chive, savory, rosemary, petunias, and thyme. It is also helpful to mix plants. When a garden is set aside for one type of plant, it becomes a definite target for its particular pest.

Fungal problems Aerate the soil; keep areas clean and dry; do not over water.

Insects on Plants (general) Identify insects and select appropriate control - the less toxic methods include hand or water spray removal, soapy water spray, barrier and traps. Many insects, and some animals, despise the smell and taste of cayenne pepper. Combine 1 tablespoon peppermint castile soap and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper in a 1/2 gallon of water and spray on all areas of infestation.

Aphids Use natural predators (ladybugs, ground beetles, praying mantis). Garlic, chives, petunias, and nasturtiums repel aphids.

Squashbugs, Snails, and Wireworms Boards placed around the garden perimeter will attract them and they will attach to the bottom of the boards. Wireworms and snails are also attracted to potatoes and will attach to the insides of hollowed out potato halves (scoop out the inside to form an igloo).

Slugs and Snails Remove tall grass and debris from the vicinity of the garden. Use a shallow dish of beer to trap or hand capture in the evening.

Cabbage Worms Use tansy, rosemary, and tomato to help repel them.

Physical Deterrents Tarpaper stapled to form a cylinder and placed around the base of an affected plant will deter many pests. Wood ashes can deter borers that attach to trees - add enough water to form a paste and apply to the bottom of the tree.

Ants Use chili powder or tansy to deter ants; drench the mounds with boiling water.

Weeds
Hand pull or spot spray with natural lawn care products. Anchor sections of black plastic to kill off larger weed patches and leave in place for 7-10 days. Use landscaping fabric with a mulch covering to prevent new weeds from germinating. Corn gluten meal, a non-chemical control for crabgrass, can be applied in September and again in the early spring.

Lawn Care
The best way to keep a lawn weed-free is to keep it healthy. This requires selecting the right grass, having your soil tested to determine the pH and nutrient needs, mowing to the right height, watering wisely, and scouting for pests monthly.

Related Info:

Frequently asked questions about organic lawn care.

Read about lawn care without pesticides: Relieving Grass Pains in the P2 View Newsletter.
information on lawn care, pest control, mowing, corn gluten for weed control: The Grass Is Always Greener in the P2 View Newsletter.
Ask Eartha about healthy lawns in the P2 View Newsletter.

Soil Testing Both UCONN (877-486-6271 toll free) and the CT Agricultural Experiment Station (877-855-2237 toll free; in the New Haven area 203-974-8521) offer soil-testing services.

Hiring Professionals
If you want to hire a professional lawn service company, interview them to determine if they offer IPM services or organic lawn care. Make sure the company holds a valid state license to apply commercial pesticides (even if it is using IPM) and that the staff is trained and certified. The company should fully explain their strategy and which materials they plan to use on your lawn. The Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) has a list of land care professionals accredited in organic lawn care.

If you have questions on pesticides and licensing of applicators, call the DEEP Pesticides Division at 860-424-3369.

Additional Resources

UCONN Home and Garden Education Center and the CT Agricultural Experiment Station are also good resources for information on lawn care and plant pests. You can even send them a sample of an affected plant to diagnose or an insect to identify.

Fact sheets on mowing and management of grass clippings are available in the composting section of DEEP's website.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) describes a systematic method of managing pests using non-chemical methods and the judicious use of pesticides when pest populations exceed acceptable levels. Read a brochure on IPM for the home.

Disclaimer: The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEEP) maintains the content on this web page to enhance public access to information and facilitate understanding of environmental issues. The DEEP is not recommending these resources over any others and recognizes these represent only a partial listing of resources on this subject.

Household Alternatives

Content Last Updated October 2019

Garden or Lawn Issue	Non-Toxic Alternatives or Solutions
Monoculture Planting (e.g., lawns)	Companion planting is a cultural method to deter pests. Including certain plants throughout and around the garden can repel a variety of insects. These plants include nasturtium, tansy, euphoria, rue, dahlias, marigolds, aster, cosmos, coreopsis, garlic, chive, savory, rosemary, petunias, and thyme. It is also helpful to mix plants. When a garden is set aside for one type of plant, it becomes a definite target for its particular pest.
Fungal problems	Aerate the soil; keep areas clean and dry; do not over water.
Insects on Plants (general)	Identify insects and select appropriate control - the less toxic methods include hand or water spray removal, soapy water spray, barrier and traps. Many insects, and some animals, despise the smell and taste of cayenne pepper. Combine 1 tablespoon peppermint castile soap and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper in a 1/2 gallon of water and spray on all areas of infestation.
Aphids	Use natural predators (ladybugs, ground beetles, praying mantis). Garlic, chives, petunias, and nasturtiums repel aphids.
Squashbugs, Snails, and Wireworms	Boards placed around the garden perimeter will attract them and they will attach to the bottom of the boards. Wireworms and snails are also attracted to potatoes and will attach to the insides of hollowed out potato halves (scoop out the inside to form an igloo).
Slugs and Snails	Remove tall grass and debris from the vicinity of the garden. Use a shallow dish of beer to trap or hand capture in the evening.
Cabbage Worms	Use tansy, rosemary, and tomato to help repel them.
Physical Deterrents	Tarpaper stapled to form a cylinder and placed around the base of an affected plant will deter many pests. Wood ashes can deter borers that attach to trees - add enough water to form a paste and apply to the bottom of the tree.
Ants	Use chili powder or tansy to deter ants; drench the mounds with boiling water.
Weeds	Hand pull or spot spray with natural lawn care products. Anchor sections of black plastic to kill off larger weed patches and leave in place for 7-10 days. Use landscaping fabric with a mulch covering to prevent new weeds from germinating. Corn gluten meal, a non-chemical control for crabgrass, can be applied in September and again in the early spring.
Lawn Care	The best way to keep a lawn weed-free is to keep it healthy. This requires selecting the right grass, having your soil tested to determine the pH and nutrient needs, mowing to the right height, watering wisely, and scouting for pests monthly. Related Info: Frequently asked questions about organic lawn care. Read about lawn care without pesticides: Relieving Grass Pains in the P2 View Newsletter. information on lawn care, pest control, mowing, corn gluten for weed control: The Grass Is Always Greener in the P2 View Newsletter. Ask Eartha about healthy lawns in the P2 View Newsletter.
Soil Testing	Both UCONN (877-486-6271 toll free) and the CT Agricultural Experiment Station (877-855-2237 toll free; in the New Haven area 203-974-8521) offer soil-testing services.
Hiring Professionals	If you want to hire a professional lawn service company, interview them to determine if they offer IPM services or organic lawn care. Make sure the company holds a valid state license to apply commercial pesticides (even if it is using IPM) and that the staff is trained and certified. The company should fully explain their strategy and which materials they plan to use on your lawn. The Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) has a list of land care professionals accredited in organic lawn care. If you have questions on pesticides and licensing of applicators, call the DEEP Pesticides Division at 860-424-3369.
Additional Resources	UCONN Home and Garden Education Center and the CT Agricultural Experiment Station are also good resources for information on lawn care and plant pests. You can even send them a sample of an affected plant to diagnose or an insect to identify. Fact sheets on mowing and management of grass clippings are available in the composting section of DEEP's website. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) describes a systematic method of managing pests using non-chemical methods and the judicious use of pesticides when pest populations exceed acceptable levels. Read a brochure on IPM for the home.

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Household Alternatives - In The Lawn and Garden