How's your garden doing? Is it rich and thriving or are you constantly dealing with pest insects and bugs? Are you spending more money than you want buying chemical fertilizers and pest-be-gone substances from the garden store? Are the weeds the only thing thriving?

Perhaps it's time to take a look at a natural, and ultimately more effective (and environmentally friendly) way to rid your garden of detrimental bugs and insects.

Most people only think about pest control when they are already having problems. Unfortunately, it's often harder to eradicate an existing problem than to prevent one from taking root in the first place. You can go a long ways toward creating a pest-insect-free lawn or garden by following some simple steps. None of these steps include using unnatural, man-made substances in your garden.

First, it's important to realize that insects attack weak, diseased plants. They're "nature's pruners" in a way. On the other hand, strong and healthy plants can often resist insect attacks. It's a bit like how your immune system, when strong and healthy, can thwart many parasites that would cripple someone with a weakened immune system.

So, how do you grow healthy plants with good "immune systems"?

Believe it or not, much of it boils down to the soil. Find out what kind of soil is optimal for the plants you want to grow and take steps to create that environment. For instance, some plants require more nitrogen in the soil than others. By knowing your plants' nutritional preferences, you can create stronger healthier plants that resist insects more readily.

Here are some resources you can apply over the years to create organic rich soil without using chemicals or unnatural means:

1. Make your own compost, and spread it to an eventual depth of 1 foot.

2. Use natural microbial fertilizers (i.e. Ringer Restore).

3. Apply composted cow manure

4. Use steamed bone meal or ground rock phosphate for phosphorus sources.

5. Try cottonseed or soybean meal for nitrogen sources

6. Apply green manure and mulches

7. Use granite dust or green sand, which interact with a high organic matter content in your soil, creating a potassium source.

Try some or all of these natural techniques for creating rich soil and a healthy, pest-free garden.

You may be noting that I included all organic resources. What about chemical fertilizers and the variety of concoctions you can buy from the garden store?

Before you consider those man made resources, consider that soil isn't just dead, inert particles. It also contains living micro-organisms, fungi, bacteria, etc.. The chemical fertilizers kill soil micro-organisms (the good along with the bad) and contribute to nitrate contamination of surface water and water wells.

Why contribute to a problem that is growing steadily worse: adding toxins to the water we need for daily use? It's not worth it when you can develop nutrient-rich soil naturally. Just be patient. A good garden, and good soil, is something that will take many seasons to perfect.