Your Garden

Use newspaper to control weeds instead of synthetic materials, like landscaping cloth: Many people throw old newspapers in the recycle bin, but you can save them to use in garden beds. Just like landscaping cloth, put a layer of newspaper on top of the soil and cover it with mulch or rock to conserve moisture. It degrades after a few seasons and makes it easier to add new plants – unlike landscaping cloth, which lasts for years and is difficult to cut through.

Apply insecticidal soaps for pest control or other natural methods: Instead of chemical sprays or insecticides, use a soap formula to ward off harmful pests. The best option is to purchase a soap-based insecticide instead of concocting your own, since many household soaps and detergents can be harmful to plants. There are also other organic and natural insecticides that you can purchase online or at your local garden center. Visit www.extremelygreen.com or www.planetnatural.com for specific products.