cycl
essential oils
More and more, gardeners are
turning to essential oils to help
combat fungal disease and
nasty pests like spider mites.
With commercial pesticides
being toxic and dangerous
to human health and the
environment, essential oils
may be the green option for a
healthy crop.
Oils
ESSENTIAL
The Green Option for Your Garden
by Monica Mansfield
76
grow cycle
N
othing is worse than toiling hard
in your garden for months only to
have your crops decimated by fungal
disease or an infestation of spider
mites. Though it may be easy to reach
for the strongest pesticide or fungi-
cide you can find, there are many
reasons to use a greener option.
There is growing concern about the
toxicity of commercial pesticides to
our bodies and the environment. Most
have non-biodegradable properties,
and their residues remain in the soil,
water supply, and our crops. This
can have potential adverse effects
on human health and scientists are
looking for alternatives to reduce
these negative impacts while main-
taining a high yield come harvest.
Essential oils may be the answer.