Pest Control for the Kitchen Garden Made Easy
It took me several years of gardening to finally learn the secret power of compost, and in case you still aren't in on this secret I hope to share a glimpse into what I have learned with you today!
I know this diary is about pest control, so you are probably wondering… “why are you talking about compost?”
Because the two are linked!
The BEST defense for pests and diseases in your vegetable garden is a good offense.
That's why step one for pest control in a natural garden is creating healthy plants that can withstand the damage of pests and disease. Sure, there are other steps you can take to naturally get rid of pests and disease but if you don't make steps towards growing healthier plants then it will be a lot of work - and I think gardening should be stress free!
Adding a midsummer compost refresh will help:
Retain moisture in the soil in the heat of the summer, a nice layer of compost is one way of mulching your garden beds
Provides a microorganism boost to your beds that will give them a nutrient boost, and increase root growth
I have 4 raised beds, and doing a summer refresh took me about 1.5 bags of compost total (I use espoma organic mushroom compost, its easy to find at English gardens and is the best I have found in terms of value/quality).
The soil science of compost is so profound, but learning the practical applications like this are what got me hooked!
Give it a try and let me know how your garden is doing in a few weeks
Need help learning everything that the seed packets might be forgetting to tell you?
If you’re setting up your first raised bed—or you’ve tried gardening before and felt overwhelmed—you don’t need more hacks. You need a clear, simple framework that makes sense for your life, your space, and your season.
That’s exactly why I created my free mini class:
🌱 The Garden-To-Table Jumpstart
Inside the class, I’ll walk you through the three things every garden needs to succeed:
A solid setup, the right timing, and small moments of consistency.
These are the pieces that gardeners often learn the hard way, and they’re also the pieces that unlock ease and confidence—especially for beginners.
In this free masterclass, you’ll learn:
How to design a raised bed setup that actually works (so you’re not fighting your garden all season)
What to plant when here in Michigan, and why timing is everything
Why a few minutes of attention truly makes the biggest difference
The exact steps I teach beginners so they can stop Googling and finally feel sure of what they’re doing
If you want your raised bed to feel fun, productive, and doable—not confusing—this class is the best place to start.
✨ Watch the free “Garden to Table Jumpstart” Mini-Class Here
Let this be the year your garden feels clear, grounded, and enjoyable from day one.
