Pest Control for Organic Gardening: Natural Methods for Pest and Disease Control for a Healthy Garden

The best chapter in this book by far is the one regarding beneficial insects for your garden. I had no idea the praying mantis could grow large enough to kill rodents, or that in many areas it's a crime to kill one! There are also lots of links to follow up and find out more about insects you are considering for your own garden.The chapter on composting was also good, from a general overview perspective, and the benefits to your garden from composting. I never knew composting could help prevent garden pests! You'll probably need more details to build your own composting system.I was less thrilled with the chapter on natural pest deterrent mixtures. Although it listed the main ingredients that you would need to include, there was no recipe for how to combine the ingredients, what you needed to combine them with, and how you should apply the mixture.Surprisingly, there was nothing about building bat boxes or bird boxes to encourage insect-eating bats and birds to live near your garden. Probably because the insects they eat, such as mosquitoes, pester humans not plants, and this book was geared toward getting rid of the pests that can destroy your garden plants.It's a quick read, and will give you plenty to think about. Our home is next to a nature preserve, so we're can't use any pesticides or fertilizers that can run off into the preserve. This book provided a lot of options for us to consider.

I just finished reading "Pest control for organic gardening" and I must say I am really impressed with Amber's work here! For the compact size, I'm amazed at how much information this book has. This is a no-fluff, concise, helpful guide!My favorite section of the book was her section on slugs. The information is extensive here, and her recipes for slug prevention are simple, but I am confident they will be effective. I am looking forward to trying them!As an amateur gardener striving to grow everything organically, I have had a hard time knowing how to react when I see a particular insect in my garden. My knee-jerk reaction is to pick the bug off and squash it, but I know that I will be referencing this book before I do anything from here!I can't help but notice some of the reviews which suggest that her section on home-brewed 'pesticides' doesn't have any actual recipes, and this simply isn't true. Perhaps they could be formatted to look a little more like a proper 'recipe,' with all ingredients laid out first followed by instructions, but the information is still there and is quite helpful! This book is going to be a great addition to my bookshelf!

Look, I really had high hopes for this little book but the author's lack of writing skills put me off like a well mixed organic repellent. The horrible sentence structure made many of the suggestions difficult to decode. She uses plurals incorrectly throughout the book and that, coupled with incorrect paragraph placement, misspellings and omissions made for a less than stellar read. At times it seemed difficult to find a single page which didn't have at least one error. God, it was frustrating!!!There is some good information to be had here IF you are willing to wade through the horrible English, but be prepared for frustration as well. The section on repellent sprays is a good example. Confusingly written, this section gives no clear cut instruction as to how to make repellents. What you get are a few suggestions on what you might consider using in the mix, but no actual recipe for the mixture itself. That's not helpful.In one chapter, she suggests you brew weak coffee, let it cool and then mix the grounds (not "grinds"), the weak coffee and extra water in another pot to make slug repellent. I suggest you can make less mess, and create the same repellent, by simply mixing all the ingredients into one pot, cook up "cowboy coffee", and then use that mixture as your repellent. Simple, effective and only one pot to clean.I could go on and on but I think you get the point. This book could stand a complete rewrite or at least proofing and editing by a competent professional. If, however, you are willing to put up with the horrible writing...there are some tidbits of information to be found here. I give it two stars based on that reason alone.

Pest Control for Organic Gardening: Natural Methods for Pest and Disease Control for a Healthy GardenTells of the pests that could get into your garden and how to organically get rid of them without using harmful chemicals.Bonus for me reading this is the section on composting as this year we've expanded that portion in our yard.A KEEPER!

Over the years, I have been replacing harmful chemicals with organic options in my own gardens. This organic gardening book was perfectly laid out. It was easy to read through & understand. I loved the way it blanketed different aspects of healthy gardening: from helpful insects, & non-toxic sprays, to beneficial mulching. I could tell that the author loves gardening as much as I do. This precious little book reads like my own best friend was sitting down with me, sharing helpful information, over a cup of hot tea!!! I love this book! I will definitely be referring to this book for years to come!

It is a very nice book for me. It is a very thin book but you can say it has the hidden treasure for new growers. If the author added illustrations and diagrams or pictures could make this book wonderfully useful.

Have been looking for something for our garden and this book was fantastic. I can just jump on my kindle and find the exact bug that is on my tomatoes, cucumbers and more. The homemade pesticide is fine for the earth and you do have to spray it more regular then the poison one but I have to do that with my organic store bought type. Prefer knowing everything that I am putting in the earth. Works wonderful, recommend with 5 stars. Awesome book.

Although there is some good advice in this handy little book, bear it mind it is intended for an American audience. I can't think anyone in England would think to handle an insect infestation in their garden with the introduction of a praying mantis or two. That said, it is better for the environment and the plants you'll be growing if you don't use pesticides. Pesticides don't discriminate between damaging insects (like aphids) and vital insects (like bees), so doing things as naturally as possible is the better way.The writing is generally okay. The general message is understandable, although some of the grammar leaves a bit to be desired. So-so.

This book is full of information without any boring bits; I've highlighted many sections for future reference. A little more detailed information and I would have given 5 stars.

Very useful handy little book.

My fault for not noticing it's only 31 pages (!), and information that can easily be gleaned elsewhere. Rather disappointing.

Great ideas in this book. I've been wondering how to combat some of the pests I discovered in my garden last year without chemicals. Some of the pest spray recipes are fascinating. This downloaded and opened just fine for me.