Cultivate Workshop: How do I deter pests? (Part 4/5)

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Now that you've prepared the soil, started planting and fertilised it with rich compost, how do you get pests away from your plants?

Like many beginner gardeners, I get disheartened when a plant I've lovingly tended to gets attacked by pests. But, never fear, there are many chemical-free pest repellents at your disposal. Click here to read how to make your own "3 leaves solution" pest repellent.

DIY ways to deter pests

• Pull out weak plants because pests are attracted to them. Pests are nature's way of signalling and eliminating weaker plants.
• Use compost for your soil to boost plant strength and health. Since I've started using compost for the plants in my garden, I've had less issues with pests.
• Place roasted and crushed egg shells on the soil around plants to deter slugs and snails. The sharp edges keep them away. This is an excellent way to re-use eggshells instead of throwing them away.
• After making your own pest repellent, remember to spray it on both sides of the leaves, and during the early morning or evening. Trial your pest repellent on 1-2 plants to test how well it works before spraying your whole garden!

Neem Leaves Solution

1. Grind/pound 1 kg of neem leaves.
2. Tie them in a cloth and soak in water overnight.
3. The following day, extract the juice
4. Dilute 1 litre of solution to 10 litres of water and use this as natural pest repellent.

Papaya Leaves Solution

1. Chop 50 grams of papaya leaves and soak it in water for one day.
2. Extract the juice the following day.
3. Add the juice to 3 litres of water and use this as natural pest repellent.

(Reference: These recipes and more were sourced from the Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) handbook "Pest Repellent: Managing Pest in Natural Farming".)

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