It is the single most important piece of advice that Mort Mather, a second generation organic gardener and past-president of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, can offer beginning organic gardeners. Nutrient-rich compost mixed into soil is a plant's best friend. In addition to maintaining healthy soil, gardeners should plant a variety of flowers and vegetables so that one pest or disease cannot wipe out an entire garden. Another preventative measure is to rotate crops by planting in a different spot each year. Experts also advise mulching beds with compost, grass clippings, straw, shredded leaves, newspaper or wood chips to discourage weeds and conserve water.
Ladybugs are both natural and beneficial in the garden.
When pests and diseases do strike there are natural ways to strike back. Try treating pests with insecticidal soap that's available at nurseries. Or, if you're not squeamish, remove insects by hand. Another solution is to add beneficial bugs to the garden, such as ladybugs, that are natural predators of other insects. Encourage birds, another predator of insects, to visit your garden by providing them with water and shelter.