The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 16 Autumn 2016 Low res | Página 7

Organic gardens
Three steps to growing
healthier plants organically
Prevention is better than cure; keep
your plants healthy by:

1. Feeding
Feed them regularly with organic
fertiliser and compost so that they are
more resistant to pests.
2. Plant companion plants
• Garlic, rosemary, lavender,
wormwood, pennyroyal and catnip
help to ward off mites, aphids and
fungal diseases.
• Sage, comfrey and chamomile are
also great companion plants that
boost general nutrient absorption and
plant health.
3. Cultivate a biodiverse, healthy
ecosystem in your garden
• Earthworms turn over and soften
the soil and move organic matter
downward; their castings provide vital
plant nutrients.
• Beneficial soil fungi and mycorrhizae
form a network that moves nutrients
and water through the soil to your
plant’s roots. Some of them also
directly impart disease resistance
to your plants. Killing these fungi by
spraying your plants with chemical
fungicides ironically makes your plants
more susceptible to the diseases and
pests you are trying to eliminate.
• If you include dense shrubs and trees
for birds to nest in, as well as some
indigenous fruit, seed plants and
bird baths in your garden, then you’ll
encourage a healthy population of birds
that will keep your insect pests in check.
• Keep guinea fowl or bantams in the
garden to control termites, crickets,
cutworm and other pests.
Your soil is your foundation! It’s
impossible to achieve a healthy pest-free
garden without investing in your soil.

Organic control techniques
and methods
Route 1: Buy organic pesticides
Many of the leading nurseries around
Harare stock H