In today’s episode, we dive into a summer gardening classic: how to manage insect pressure without chemicals, using simple, natural and organic pest control strategies you can start implementing today.

For more information on organic pest control, check out our blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/garden-pest-control/

In this episode, we cover:

🌿 Seasonal chit-chat: What’s thriving in our North Idaho garden: garlic scapes, raspberries, Napa cabbage, red currants, hops, asparagus, shallots, strawberries, and our first round of chicken processing.
🍽️ How we’re enjoying the harvest: kimchi, red currant syrup for breakfast casseroles, and freeze-dried raspberries to savor all year.
💡 Foundational pest prevention: Why soil health, deep watering, and simple compost/manure teas make your plants more pest-resistant.
🌱 Garden design tips: Shade tunnels, mulch beds, and stress-free planting schedules to keep pests at bay.
🌼 Creating ecosystems: Attracting predator insects and songbirds with diverse plantings like dill, flowers, and habitat zones.
🛡️ Companion planting, trap crops, netting, and the low-stress method of planting extra to enjoy what does well, even if some gets nibbled.
🧘‍♀️ A reminder: A few chewed leaves don’t mean defeat. Learn to embrace nature’s system and keep your garden thriving.

Grab your copy of the Homestead Kitchen Magazine here: https://classes.homesteadingfamily.com/homestead-kitchen-magazine-special-offer-organic

Steve Solomon's Complete Organic Fertilizer Recipe: https://www.rainyside.com/resources/fertilizer.html

Compost Tea Recipe: https://homesteadingfamily.com/compost-tea-recipe-tips-uses/

🛒 Sponsor Highlight: Azure Standard
- We’re grateful to our friends at Azure Standard, our go-to for quality organic and bulk pantry goods. New to Azure? Use coupon "homesteadingfamily15" for 15% off your first $100+ order: https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b

Time Stamps
0:00 - Introduction & Chit Chat
6:24 - Azure Standard
8:16 - Homestead Kitchen Magazine
9:56 - Tracking Financials
15:56 - Main Topic

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MORE ABOUT US!

WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo

Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily
Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily
Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily

Every month, I host a free live training on a new homesteading skill. This January, we’re focusing on herbal medicine and how to create an effective family herbal protocol to help stop the cycle of winter sickness. Join the free live training on January 22 and start becoming a confident family herbalist. Register HERE!