Strategies for Preventing Pests in Raised Bed Garden

Strategies for Preventing Pests in Raised Bed Garden are several. Some of these are obviously prevention, some are being implemented already and some are new to you. It takes patience and knowledge to fully understand the mechanics of a Raised Bed Garden and how to prevent problems before they happen. However there are some simple and effective ways of preventing pests and it can be accomplished by following a few simple steps.

1. Keep Garden Beds Dry and Clean

The first strategy is prevention, simply making sure your Raised Beds are kept dry and clean at all times. This will stop any pests that might be looking for an easy target. Keeping soil and bedding as clean as possible is also important for pests, keeping soil and bedding damp or soggy will ensure any pests have an easy time finding an area to attack.

2. Regular Maintenance

If you want to make sure pests can’t enter your beds, regular maintenance is key. You should check your soil regularly for any signs of nutrients that have been eaten away. You should also be making sure your gardens are regularly sprayed with organic compounds or pest control solutions.

3. Cleanup Affected Area Quickly

If you see signs of pests attacking your Raised Bed Garden be very quick. Thoroughly clean up the affected area and throw away any infected material. Thoroughly wash your bedclothes, bed linens and other bedding in hot water. These methods will get rid of any unwanted pests that might still be hanging around in your bed.

4. Using Repellents

Another one of the strategies for preventing pests in raised bed garden is the use of repellents on your Raised Bed Garden. There are many different repellents available and most of them use chemicals. However, there are a few that are safe to use on organic soil and plants in your garden. You can also use natural repellents on your plants and beddings.

5. Using Organic Ingredients

Some of the organic ingredients include vinegar, organic matter, lime juice and tea tree oil. You can also use soil plugs that contain plant food and organic matter to attract pests to your bed. You should check regularly that your plants are growing as well as possible and be alert for pests that are entering your bedding. Mothballs, powder or crushed egg shells are just a few of the items that you can sprinkle around the soil of your bed.

6. Elimination of Entry Points

Another idea to help deter pests from entering your bedding is the elimination of possible entry points on your bed. Pests can try and get into your garden by breaking through the soil or plants. By eliminating these points you will increase the amount of time it takes for them to be able to enter your bed. Sprinkling compost or coffee grounds around the base of your plants will help with this process.

7. Using Netting

There are other strategies for preventing pests in raised bed garden. If you have a screened porch or other entry way to your bedding, you may want to consider using netting to keep animals from using this area. You can easily make your own or purchase them at a hardware store. Another idea is to make your bed higher so pests cannot climb up into the bed itself. Covering the bottom of your bed with plastic will help prevent things like soil mites, bed bugs and spider mites from entering your bedding. Using chemicals to repel pests from your raised bed garden is a good strategy but is not always necessary.

8. Chemical Sprays and Pesticides

Using chemical sprays and pesticides to control pests can also be harmful to your plants. You may be tempted to do this as part of your strategies for preventing pests in raised bed garden. If you do, it is important to read the label of the products you are using carefully and follow all directions. Some pesticides can be harmful to your plants or even cause them to die.

9. Make Organic Beds

One of the easiest strategies for preventing pests in raised bed garden is to make your beds organic. This means that you should build up your soil, keeping inorganic matter as much as possible. This will help to insulate the soil and keep it warm and moist and will help prevent heat and moisture damage to your plants. It will also prevent heat and moisture evaporation from your beds. Build up your organic matter by composting and tilling the soil every two weeks.

10. Mulching and Keep Beds Clean

One of the key strategies for preventing pests in raised bed garden is to keep your soil, mulch and bedding clean. Keep all weeds and grass clippings trimmed. Get rid of overgrown grasses and weeds. Get rid of droopy flowers and underlying foliage. When you have finished your gardening, it will be easier for pests to survive and will reduce the number of problems you will have in your raised bed garden.