When you are trying to keeps the plants and produce in your garden growing without interference, you’ll have to battle certain unwanted intrusions.  Severe weather will have an effect on the progress of your garden, but even in the best conditions you will have to control both weeds and garden pests.  Weeds will draw on the light, water and nutrition which should belong to your plants.  Likewise, garden pests will eat the delicious food you have meant for yourself.  To try and keep these forces at bay, follow these steps.

1. Identify the pests that are getting to your crops.  If you see what exactly is eating your lettuce, you can figure out how to combat the problem.  Certain insects are repelled by natural elements.  For example, different birds may see these pests as a preferred food, so you can set up a birdhouse and join forces with a friend in nature.

2. Before you turn to pesticides, ask an expert for the antidote to your pests.  Maybe chopping open a head of garlic will keep your pests from coming back; so could some artfully placed natural oils, like lavender.

3. Plant the right crops.  Certain larger crops have a way of withholding the light necessary for weeds to develop.  Have you ever grown a pumpkin?  This dynamic crop also has the power to stop weeds from getting comfortable.

4. Kill the weeds without chemicals.  You want to avoid getting into chemical treatments for your garden, as whatever you put in will eventually find its way to your plate.  Do it the old-fashion way — pull them out by hand — or scorch the weeds using a squirt bottle full of hot water.  Of course, keep your aim under control, as hot water will kill whatever it touches in your garden.

5. Use mulch.  Putting down mulch in your garden will smother the areas where weeds can develop.  Again, doing it natural is best: cut grass, pieces of hay and some pulled weeds themselves will do the trick.