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be used on houseplants and in greenhouses to attack the western flower thrips. Organic pesticide sprays are available, which are based on plant oils or pyrethrum.Ornamental plants can be sprayed with insecticides containing methiocarb or thiacloprid

infestations, scrape off the scales by hand and dispose of them. For heavy infestations, prune out those branches that are badly affected. Spray with a plant oil wash in winter.euonymusmid-July, early September, winterMore common garden pestsWhiteflyLeaf miner

on the leaves.Dispose of fallen leaves that might have the bugs or eggs attached. Use the predatory ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri when temperatures rise in summer. Also try spraying plants with fatty acids or plant oils. You may need to do this a few times

persimilis on to your plants. Alternatively, use sprays containing, fatty acids or plant oils.houseplants, greenhouse plants, also outdoors on fuchsias, runner beans, busy lizzies, grape vinesall year roundMore common garden pestsMealybugsScale insectsWhiteflyThrips

A surface structure that secretes oils or resins. Some plants produce glandular hairs, such as the stinging nettle.

, promoting relaxation. Simply add five or six drops to your bath water.500g fresh or 250g dried lavender flowers750ml light olive oilSmall saucepanWooden spoonCoffee filter or muslin bagSmall funnelContainer with lidautumn20 minutesGently wash the lavender

A genus of plants in the mustard family, the members of which may be collectively known as mustards or cabbages. The various parts of different species of brassica have been developed for food, such as roots for swedes, stems for kohlrabi, leaves

Give wooden furniture a facelift, sanding smooth then applying teak wood oilCut back climbing plants that are hanging down from arches and pergolas Empty, mix and refill compost bins to improve the composting processWater hydrangeas with a colourant

Clean and sharpen knives and secateurs, and spray metal tools with oilPut up nesting boxes for birds in suitable trees or on buildingsMove shrubs growing in the wrong placeService petrol lawn mowersSearch through seed, bulb and nursery catalogues

of all cane and plant supports to prevent injury to eyesApply a moss killer to lawns, then, after a few days, scarify to rake out the dead matterWipe teak oil or other nourishing wood treatment on to wooden garden furniture to condition it for summer