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Welcome to another episode of The Cutflower Podcast! I’m your host, Roz Chandler, and today we’re diving deep into all things garden pests. I’m joined by the brilliant Tessa from Ladybird Plant Care, who’s here to share some amazing tips on how to manage pests organically. From slugs to aphids, we’re covering it all, so if you’ve had any garden woes this year, you won’t want to miss this episode!

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Tessa from Ladybird Plant Care walks us through the challenges and solutions for common garden pests, with a particular focus on organic methods. We chat about the importance of tackling pests like slugs and aphids at the right time of year, and why natural biological control is becoming more popular. Tessa also shares why using nematodes in the autumn is key to reducing slug problems in the spring, and we explore the fascinating world of parasitic wasps for aphid control. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep pests at bay without resorting to harmful chemicals, this episode is packed with practical advice to help your garden thrive.

Key Takeaways:

1. Slug Control with Nematodes: Now is the perfect time to apply nematodes to prevent next year’s slug infestation. Tessa explains why autumn treatments are essential.
2. Organic Pest Management: Biological control methods like using parasitic wasps for aphids are natural, effective, and environmentally friendly.
3. Patience is Key: With biological controls, it’s important to be patient and allow nature to take its course. These solutions take time but yield great results.
4. Deep Cleaning for Pest Prevention: Clean your greenhouses and tools thoroughly at the end of the season to remove overwintering pests and prevent future infestations.
5. Think Like a Bug: When preparing your garden for winter, consider where pests might hide, like under pots or in cracks, and take steps to eliminate their cosy spots.

Action Step:
Take a good look at your garden as we head into the colder months. Apply nematodes now to reduce slug populations, and give your greenhouse a deep clean to avoid overwintering pests. If you’ve had pest issues this year, start planning your biological controls for next year!

Here are Tessa’s contact details for any questions or pest identification help:

You can reach her via email at plantcare@ladybirdplantcare.co.uk

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