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The Benefits of Organic Gardening for your Health

This is the perfect time of year to get outside, take advantage of milder temperatures, and tend to your garden. To keep the spring air fresh, try using non-toxic pest repellents this growing season instead of harmful chemicals. Look for products containing pyrethrum or neem. Pyrethrum is a mixture of natural insecticidal compounds found in certain types of African chrysanthemums and can help control aphids, whiteflies, stinkbugs and mites. Neem comes from the seeds and leaves of Azadirachta indica, a native tree of India. The compounds it contains (such as azadirachtin) act as insect repellents. Neem is non-toxic to animals and humans and beneficial to bees. You should be able to find both products in your local garden center.

Check labels to make sure you choose the product intended for the crops you're growing or the pests you're trying to eliminate. Then get outside, enjoy the weather, and discourage pests naturally.