If you’re looking to skip the harsh chemicals in your garden, you’re in luck! There are plenty of natural ways to keep your pear trees healthy and free of pests. Here’s the lowdown on how to whip up your own organic remedies right at home.
Natural Sprays: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to fighting off garden invaders naturally, there are four main ways to prep your plant-based concoctions:
- Decoctions (Broths)
- Cold Infusions
- Teas
- Liquid Manure (Fermented Tea)
Decoctions
To make a decoction, soak your plant material in cold water for about 24 hours. The next day, bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for 15 to 30 minutes. Once it cools down, strain it through a fine sieve. Usually, you’ll want to dilute this 1:5 with water before spraying.
Cold Infusions
As the name suggests, there’s no heat involved here. Just take a handful of chopped herbs and soak them in a quart of water for no more than 24 hours. Pro tip: Use soft water if you can—rainwater is perfect for this!
Teas
Think of this just like making a cup of tea for yourself, but for your trees. For example, to make an onion tea, pour about 2.5 gallons of boiling water over 3 ounces of chopped onions. Let it steep for 10–15 minutes, then strain. Used undiluted, this is a great preventative measure against fungal diseases.
Liquid Manure (Fermented Tea)
Fair warning: this stuff stinks! Because it goes through a fermentation process, you’ll want to set your container somewhere far away from your patio. While these aren’t used for pests as often, they are amazing for strengthening your plants. Nettle tea is the most popular version. Mix 2 lbs of fresh nettles with 2.5 gallons of cold water and let it ferment for 10–14 days. Strain it and dilute 1:10 to give your pear tree a nutrient boost.
If you only let it ferment for 2 to 4 days, you can actually use it to fight aphids. Mix it with a little insecticidal soap and dilute it 1:50 to help chase those pests away.
Fighting Fungal Issues
Pear trees can be magnets for fungi like pear rust and canker. If you’re dealing with fungal infections , horsetail and yarrow are your best friends. Here’s a quick recipe for a horsetail decoction:
- Mix 2–3 lbs of fresh horsetail (or about 6 oz of dried herb) with 2.5 gallons of water.
- Let it sit in a warm spot for 24 hours.
- Strain the mixture and dilute it 1:5 with water.
- If you’re fighting pear rust, start spraying before the blossoms open, then repeat 2 or 3 more times every two weeks.
Store-Bought Options
If you’re not in the mood for a DIY project, don’t worry—your local garden center has plenty of organic treatments on the shelf. Just make sure to ask for advice on which ones are safe for the “good guys” in your garden, like ladybugs and bees. They do a lot of the pest control work for you!
Quick Tip: Pick up a book on organic pest control. They are goldmines of information on how to use different herbs and methods to keep your garden thriving naturally.