This month, Wildlife Trusts Wales has announced the launch of its pesticide-free pledge, urging communities across the country to ditch pesticides and do their bit to help protect Welsh nature. The charity, which aims to support wilder and more nature-rich Wales, says that, through just a few small steps, everybody can help save plants and animals and create a greener future for generations to come. Here, we speak to Andy Charles-O’Callaghan, Campaigns Officer at The Wildlife Trusts, to find out more about the pledge and how you can help. Why was this campaign launched? Although pesticides may ..read more

The proper storage of pesticides can often be overlooked. We tend to think more about sorting the weeds out, rather than what we do with the pesticides before and after we’ve used them. But using, storing, and disposing of pesticides incorrectly can cause potential harm to ourselves and our environment. Follow our guide to help you take the correct steps when storing pesticides to protect your children, pets, wildlife, watercourses, and yourself. Pesticides could be harmful to you If you’ve tried alternatives first and still choose to buy a pesticide, the most important thing is to handle it ..read more

Pesticides are one way to tackle persistent pests and weeds, but these products don’t last forever – they can expire, be discontinued or simply no longer be of use to you anymore. It is important to dispose of any leftover products in the correct way, to minimise the damage the chemical ingredients within them can cause to people, water and wildlife. Here’s what to do if you find old pesticides: Organise your supply First things first, it helps to complete a regular inventory of the pesticides you own. Identify any products that you no longer need and what you want to keep. Make sure your p ..read more

Every gardener is bound to encounter their fair share of pests and plant diseases. Being able to identify these will ensure that you are able to target the issue effectively. This handy guide aims to help you recognise the signs of some common garden pests and plant diseases and natural solutions you can try to tackle them. Aphids (Greenfly or blackfly) About: Small sap-sucking pests that are commonly green, black or white. Tend to feed in large groups on the underside of leaves or stems. Signs: Yellowing, curling, or stunted leaves that may be coated in a sticky substance (honeydew). Natural ..read more

Slugs are one of the most common and complained about pests that you’ll find in your garden. Here, we speak to expert gardener and presenter of S4C’s Garddio a Mwy, Naomi Saunders, to hear her tricks on how to keep these pesky critters at bay. When you see signs of slugs in your garden, your first instinct may be to reach for slug pellets but there are far safer and more ecofriendly methods that you can use which are just as effective. I always use organic and pesticide-free solutions – it’s something that’s really important to me – as I’m conscious of the impact my actions have on the environ ..read more

In your quest for a healthy and pest-free garden, harnessing the power of beneficial predators can be a game-changer. Here, expert gardener Huw Richards talks us through some of these natural warriors: Larvae of Harlequin Ladybird eating an aphid Ladybirds (Ladybugs): Ladybirds are well-known aphid assassins. They devour large numbers of these sap-sucking pests, effectively controlling aphid infestations. Both adult ladybirds and their voracious larvae contribute to this vital task. In fact the larvae have an even bigger appetite than the adults and are a real treat to find in your garden! P ..read more

Maintaining a healthy and thriving garden requires effective pest management strategies. While traditional methods often rely on pesticides, an alternative and natural approach involves harnessing the power of beneficial predators. In the UK, we typically rely on a yearly reset during Winter (when freezing temperatures control pest populations), but as weather patterns become more unpredictable, we need to look at other options to manage pest numbers including attracting a variety of predatorial insects and creatures to our gardens by planting specific crops. Here, expert gardener Huw Richards ..read more

One of the tactics savvy gardeners use to tackle pests in the garden without the use of pesticides is companion planting. Companion planting is placing two different plants next to each other for mutual benefit such as attracting beneficial pollinators or deterring pests from your plants or vegetable crops. Whereas pesticides are a temporary solution that can quite easily damage your beloved plants if used incorrectly, companion planting can be a long-term solution. With a little bit of planning, and with the help of this guide, you will learn how to companion plant effectively to keep pests a ..read more

Pesticides are one way to tackle persistent pests and weeds. However, these products don’t last forever – they can expire, be discontinued or simply not be of use to you anymore. It is important to dispose of any leftover product in the correct way, to minimise the damage the chemical ingredients can cause to people, water and wildlife. Follow these five simple steps on how to properly dispose of any unwanted pesticide products: Organise your supply It helps to complete a regular inventory of the pesticides you own. Identify any products that you no longer need and what you want to keep. Ma ..read more

A garden is both a pleasure to have and a responsibility to maintain especially if you are a first-time gardener. Throughout the seasons your garden will be presented with different kinds of weeds or pests that may cause harm to your veg or flowers. Keep in mind that there’s nothing wrong with allowing weeds to grow freely or hosting a few slugs or snails. It’s important to keep learning so you can choose the ways that work for you. You may be tempted to go straight to using pesticides, but there are more natural methods you may want to consider first. You can use the tips in this blog through ..read more