By Andi Anderson
As warm weather arrives, gardens begin to bloom—and so do pests like insects, weeds, and diseases. Gardeners can manage these challenges using Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a method that combines several approaches to keep pest levels low while protecting plants and the environment.
There are four key techniques in IPM: cultural, physical/mechanical, biological, and chemical methods.
Cultural management focuses on growing healthy plants. Choosing the right plant for the right place—considering sunlight, soil type, moisture, and temperature—helps reduce pest problems.
Techniques like crop rotation, pruning, cleaning up old plant debris, and mulching also promote plant health and reduce disease spread.
Physical or mechanical control means removing pests by hand or creating barriers. For example, handpicking insects like Japanese beetles or using bird netting and fencing can protect plants from pests like deer and rabbits. Removing diseased branches or weeds also helps stop pests from spreading.
Biological control uses helpful insects or organisms to fight pests. Lady beetles eat aphids, and tiny parasitic wasps lay eggs in harmful insects like caterpillars or aphids, which helps naturally reduce pest populations. To attract these beneficial insects, gardeners can plant flowers like dill, cilantro, fennel, and cosmos.
Chemical control involves using pesticides like insecticides or herbicides. In IPM, this should be the last option. When needed, choose the least toxic pesticide and always read the label carefully to know how and where to use it safely.
IPM offers a balanced way to protect your garden while keeping it healthy and eco-friendly. For more tips, listen to the Good Growing Podcast or contact your local Extension office at go.illinois.edu/ExtensionOffice.
These practical methods help gardeners enjoy a beautiful, productive garden all season long.
Photo Credit: pexels-greta-hoffman
Categories: Illinois, Rural Lifestyle