Pest Control

Right Tool, Right Time—If You Really Need It

     We’re not in the business of selling fear—or pushing pesticides. In fact, if you walk away from this page deciding not to buy anything here, that’s a win in our book. Pesticides, even those approved for organic production, sit at the very top of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) pyramid for a reason. The best way to avoid using them is to not need them in the first place. That’s why our primary mission is helping gardeners choose the right plant, in the right place, at the right time. Healthy plants in healthy soil are naturally more resilient.

     Still, sometimes pests get the upper hand. And when they do, we offer a few carefully chosen options—nothing broad-spectrum, nothing synthetic, and nothing we wouldn’t use ourselves.

     Thuricide BT (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki) – A targeted biological control for caterpillars. It’s safe for everything else—because it only affects caterpillars when ingested.

     Conserve (Spinosad) – A broader-spectrum organic option used for thrips, leafminers, and more. Still OMRI listed, still microbial-based.

     Neem Oil (Cold-Pressed) – Ours is not the clarified extract. We carry the real deal, cold-pressed neem that works on insects and fungal issues alike.

     Capacity Plus – Contains chitosan, recently approved by the EPA for pest and fungal control. It can also help your plants boost their natural resistance.

     Garden Friendly Fungicide (GFF) – Another biopesticide, focused on fungal pathogens, safe for organic production.

     Some products we don’t carry include pyrethrin-based sprays and insecticidal soaps—not because they aren’t organic, but because they’re overused and often misused. We use Dr. Bronner’s soap when needed, and recommend it over branded “insecticidal soaps” any day. It's cheaper and works just as well.

     We also sometimes use BT israelensis (like mosquito dunks) for fungus gnats, and Bacillus subtilis—a beneficial microbe approved for human consumption—to manage fungal issues. But again, these are exceptions, not habits.

     We’re terrible pesticide salespeople, and that’s intentional. If you end up skipping this collection because your garden’s thriving without it, that means we’re doing something right.