October 3, 2025 – Bayer Chemicals bought out Monsanto seven years ago and has since had to pay out billions in settlements for cancer-causing Roundup. Bayer took glyphosate out of Roundup and replaced it with a chemical even more dangerous. Now, they are trying to push legislation that would block lawsuits against pesticide makers around the country. With enough donation support, they could conceivably get laws passed allowing companies to sell cancer-causing pesticides gardeners and farmers use to kill weeds and bugs.
Marigolds have a great reputation for preventing garden insect. I’ve used them myself for several years with great result, or so I thought. Fortunately, I plant a LOT of marigolds in my raised beds. I say fortunately, because we now know that unless planted close together, as in NOT one every 3-4’, marigolds don’t provide protection, and even if planted next to each other, the protection is still limited. They probably do more good under the soil than on top. For better insect repellants of attractant to keep pests off your crops, consider nasturtiums, chives, garlic, catnip, lavender, rosemary, and chrysanthemums.
After a killing frost, clear the garden plants, leaves, etc., ASAP. Cover crops always great in your garden, but if you don’t choose that, consider cutting off cucumber, okra, & pepper plants at soil. Let roots rot to provide nutrients next spring. For tomatoes, pull them out by the roots to reduce root knot nematode damage in future crops. then, spread a quicklime coating and rake it into the soil. This adds calcium plus kills pathogens and insect pests. You can do the same with agriculture lime which has additional nutrients, but it doesn’t kill pathogens or insects. Then, spread a good coating of wood ash, which can be straight from your fireplace. Mix with water or just water it in.
