This is a simple attempt to explain what is commonly referred to as 'The Balance of Nature'. If you can identify the problems (pests) that you have in your garden, there is a fairly good likelihood that there is a natural enemy of that pest as well. That enemy need not be your pesticides.

In her book, The Naturalist's Garden, Ruth Shaw Ernst talks about this concept and it is becoming more and more popular each year. Also, interplanting or companion planting, the idea of placing beneficial plants together, is gaining ground as well.

Please take the time to identify these alternatives and attract beneficial insects and birds to help you in reducing the number of pests you have. Also, think of alternatives for animal pests that might distract them away from your garden instead of trying to eliminate them. For example, the rabbit above. Either use a fence to keep him out or plant something else he might enjoy in another part of the yard to attract him away from the garden.

Remember, if you allow for an expected percentage of pests and resultant loss, you can still harvest a substantial amount of chemical free vegetables at the end of the season. Admittedly, they might not be the best looking bunch but they will certainly be the most nutritious.

Try not to be an all or nothing gardener. If you use chemicals, you could end up losing in the long run even though you get blemish free vegetables with close to 100% yield.