The presence of an insect or weed does not necessarily mean that it is a pest. So the first thing we need to change to is our expectations of what is normal. It is only when these organisms become unusually abundant that we need to examine the situation to find the causes and take remedial action. Responding to these causes requires us to learn about the pest and about the way it is likely to respond to different conditions that discourage potential pests. The key to pest prevention in the garden or lawn is healthy soil, healthy resistant plants, appropriate planting designs and careful environmental management.
Most soils require the regular addition of organic matter, such as compost, to remain healthy.
The soil can be loosened but it should not be cultivated in such a way that its surface layers become buried under the deeper layers because this will kill most of the beneficial organisms. By following these rules we can create ideal food and space conditions for decomposers and their predators. These beneficial soil organisms will then be able to prevent the development of root diseases, and some of the predators will feed on the plant pests. Choose plant varieties that are resistant to local pests and diseases. Arrange planting times so that they don't coincide with the occurrence of potential pests, e.g., by delaying planting carrots by two or three weeks, attack by carrot rust fly can be avoided.