Just LET IT DIE

What is the best way to control pests in the garden? The answer isn't what you think!

Pest control is a major gardening issue that comes up again and again. We want organic bug sprays and neem oil and pepper sprays and whatever will kill bugs in the garden. Yet we need to take a step back! Sometimes the best garden pest control is to grow different plants. Or to grow plants in a different way. Today you'll learn how to control garden pests by building a vibrant ecosystem and growing the plants that want to live in your backyard.

[davidthegood]

Thanks for watching, and have a Happy Independence Day all my American viewers!

[Emelius]

First year of growing peppers on my rooftop here in Korea, I got so many aphids I was disgusted. But I just let them be. They did poorly except one or two pepper plants that I overwintered, but one thing I noticed was ladybugs finding my rooftop and making home in my herbs and weeds. The next year, those bugs overwintered and this year I barely had an aphid problem. Now I got bumble bees, bees, wasps, ladybugs, all sorts of critters running around in my garden and a bunch of healthy peppers, basils, tomatoes, and the assortment of wild weeds I let grow to keep the local bugs happy.

[bowtielife]

David... "I let it die."

BEST INTRO EVER!!!

[dictionaryzzz]

I used to have squash bug problems UNTIL I started planting Cherokee Tan crops are so awesome.

[Logiwonk]

This guy gets it. One of my favorite rules comes from Monty Don "Grow Hard" and if a plant can't hack it in the garden then it doesn't get to live here.

[lisarusso]

I watched this in action just recently. I have a bunch of Mexican sunflowers around some young fruit trees. I noticed the sunflowers were infested, badly, with aphids. My first reaction was panic but then I looked closer, and saw lady bugs and lady bug larvae! I was psyched! I let it be, trusting in nature. I kept checking. Just recently I found there were no more aphids and the fruit tree was just fine and healthy!! Gotta trust the process! 😅

[amandastroup]

I really needed to hear this today…some pests have been doing damage and I was getting frustrated, but this is such a great reminder!
Also, LOVE seeing Our Lady in your garden 🙏🏼

[Fulkersons]

It's so funny I watched this video today. I had a conversation with a customer today on this subject. People never believe I have a wonderfully productive garden, and don't use anything organic or other to control pests. I try to share the concept of you try to control nature then you have to take control of everything. If you wait and let nature take it's course it often works out with no interference from me. People have a hard time excepting this concept, but it's been a game changer for me. Thanks for sharing your awesome garden practices and philosophies. You are very knowledgeable, and deliver your message with fun and humor. Thanks

[Green.Country.Agroforestry]

When an organism has reached the end of its life cycle, or it has become burdensome on the ecosystem, pest organisms and disease appear to quickly terminate it, and put the resources that it contained back into the system. Diseases and 'pests' are a vital component to the whole design, and they are GOOD .. if they are giving you trouble, consider that what you are trying to do in the garden may be a bit too far off the natural design, or too far off for your garden at this stage. Keep on soil building, developing the whole ecosystem, and try again in a few years. It has been several years in getting the local ecosystem built up to be a real partner for us .. lots of feeding birds, stacking rocks for lizards, digging ponds, and filling bird baths, all while building brush piles and planting hedges .. but in time, the effects become apparent.

[judifarrington]

Love this video!! Gonna watch it again. It's so true what you said about pests and predators. This year it was the gardener being attacked by mosquitoes. Just when I thought I could garden no more...hordes of dragon flies and damsel flies came to my rescue! I love my garden friends. 😊

[Billbarker]

I love that statue of Our Lady! I am learning a good deal from your videos. Keep up the book title drops. :)

[AntoinetteZaczkiewicz]

Love our Blessed Mother😊 your statue is beautiful!

[heathermartin]

This is the hardest concept for people to understand.

[JustSumGuy]

Love it, I stopped spraying 2 years ago I love all my garden mates that moved in. Thanks David ❤

[maggiedaniels]

Love the fact that as I watch a big ad for Roundup is underneath the screen.

[-jd]

No wonder you always have a terrific garden. You’ve got the greatest pet Mother looking over your garden. St Michael looks over my garden and so far he’s been a tremendous help in my success.

[Mekare]

Every year the bugs get more and more balanced with predators! Odd to say I fully welcome wasps! ❤

[Leahslittlepatchofparadise]

I was having major issues with rats eating everything in my garden, from newly planted seeds, to watermelons, and pumpkins, they were even eating my radishes 🤯
I got myself 2 barn kittens, and the problem was solved 👌
And my kids love playing with them while we're out in the garden, win win 😁👍

[Trailtotable]

About 6 years ago the squirrels were out of control and I took action and set out a trap in the asparagus bed where they were tucking away walnuts. I hadn't even made it inside yet to get something to bait it with and a squirrel was caught.
So I left an unbaited trap and for 2 weeks I caught and relocated 13 squirrels. At one point 3 in one day, 2 at lunchtime.
I enjoyed a few years of minimal squirel fruit eating antics. Alas....as I look at the partially eaten apples and pears in my yard I believe it's about time to bring out the traps again.

[jemafleming]

My husband adds compost/ topsoil to pest-ridden plants & they get better, they survive the pest. Healthy plants attract good insects.