One important way is to be selective about which plants I grow. Some plants are just more susceptible to insects and disease then others. A notable example of this are many varieties of hybrid roses. They are host to a multitude of pests. By growing rugosa or shrub roses, I can have the beautiful blossoms without all the problems. Many varieties of rugosa even bloom off and on all summer. Another advantage is that they are completely hardy so they don't need all that mulch and TLC to get them through the winter.

Since I don't use chemical pesticides, my best strategy is to keep the pests from ever getting a stronghold. I make sure my plants are healthy, and my garden is free of debris and weeds that would harbor disease organisms. I watch my plants for any sign of pests and treat them immediately. I also choose flowers and vegetables that have been bred to be more resistant to disease. If a plant does show a tendency to have problems, I'm brutal--I get rid of it immediately.

If you have a vegetable garden, rotate your crops every year. If you keep tomatoes or even their close relatives like peppers, potatoes, or eggplant, in the same area, their diseases will build up in the soil. Plant peas or another legume, in that spot the next year.

If you find an insect or disease is devastating one of your crops or flowers, try one of these "earth friendly" pest remedies:

Bacillus thuringienses or Bt, is a biological control which works effectively against a multitude of garden pests including cabbage looper, gypsy moth, corn borer, potato beetles and even mosquito larvae. It won't harm pets or other wildlife, but will kill other butterfly larvae, as well. The time to use bt is when the pest larvae first appear. There are many different strains available, so be sure and pick the appropriate one for your problem.

Plant Guardian Insecticidal Soap Garden's Alive

I use insecticidal soap for almost everything. It kills whiteflies, aphids, mealy bugs, scale and even spider mites. You do need to spray it directly on the offending bug to get rid of it. Repeat once a week until they are gone.

If you insist on growing hybrid tea roses and have black spot or mildew, try this recipe. Mix one tablespoon each of baking soda and oil--either a light horticultural oil or regular vegetable oil--to one gallon water. If you use vegetable oil, add insecticidal soap in the amount recommended for one gallon water. Spray both sides of the leaves thoroughly every five to seven days. Better yet, try planting the new  'Kiss Me' rose from Bailey Nursery in Newport, Minnesota. 'Kiss Me' looks just like a hybrid tea, smells wonderful and is very disease resistant.

Deer are a welcome visitor to some and a pest to others. If they have become a problem in your yard try pouring dried blood meal around your plants and shrubs. Even it doesn't work, the plants will appreciate the added nitrogen!  For more ideas, see my article on deer.

I saved one of the worst pests for last. Slugs are truly the bane of any gardeners existence. I have yet to find the perfect solution, but I do have some suggestions for you to try.

• 1. Put boards around your gardens and then scrape the slugs off the bottom of each one every morning.
• 2. Use diatomaceous earth, cinders, eggshells, ground nut shells, used coffee grounds, or sawdust around your plants. The sharp edges puncture their soft underbellies so they dehydrate and die.
• 3. Dig holes in the garden for containers. Fill them with beer with the edges flush with the ground. The slugs will smell the fermenting yeast and supposedly fall in and drown. In my yard the only pest that liked them were my raccoons! They had some great parties out back last summer till I caught on to where the beer was going.

Before you resort to harmful synthetic pesticides and insecticides, please try these biological or "home" remedies. You may find they work better and will cost you far less in the long run.

Integrated Pest Management from Nebraska Extension

Read more on "Pest and Disease Control Basics" at Gardener's Supply.