Garden chemicals play a crucial role in maintaining plant health and productivity by controlling various pests and diseases. At Martin Garden Center, we carry a wide variety of Pesticides, Fungicides, and Herbicides to help you tackle any issue in your garden. Pesticides manage pests such as insects, insect-like organisms such as mites, mollusks (e.g., snails and slugs), rodents and other unwanted garden visitors (e.g., snakes, deer and rabbits). Fungicides prevent and control microbial organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungal diseases, such as botrytis, powdery mildew and leaf spot. Herbicides manage unwanted weeds that compete with cultivated plants for resources. We also carry a great selection of Soil and Fertilizer.
Common Pest and Disease Control
Effectively managing pests and diseases in your garden starts with accurate identification and understanding of the issues. Common Pests such as aphids, caterpillars, and beetles can cause significant damage to plants by feeding on leaves, stems, and roots. Diseases like powdery mildew, rust, and blight can weaken plants and reduce yields. Using the appropriate chemicals for these issues involves selecting insecticides for pest control and fungicides for disease management. For instance, insecticidal soaps are effective against soft-bodied insects like aphids, while systemic fungicides can control persistent fungal infections. On our Bad Bug Page, we discuss each common insect, pest and fungus. We cover identification, prevention and treatment strategies as well as discuss special factors to consider when treating plants.
Regular monitoring of your garden is essential to detect problems early and address problems before infestations become severe. Look for signs of damage, such as chewed leaves, discolored spots, or stunted growth, and identify the pests or pathogens responsible before devising a control strategy.
Implementing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, which combine chemical treatments with cultural, mechanical, and biological controls, can enhance the effectiveness of your pest and disease control efforts. For example, removing infected plant debris, encouraging beneficial insects, and practicing crop rotation can reduce the reliance on chemical treatments and promote a healthier garden ecosystem. By staying vigilant and proactive, you can keep your garden thriving and minimize the impact of pests and diseases.
Pesticides
Pesticides are chemicals that are formulated to target a variety of pests, including insects, mites, and rodents and other vertebrates, ensuring that gardens remain healthy and productive. Insecticides, a common type of pesticide, are specifically aimed at controlling insect populations such as aphids, beetles, and caterpillars, which can chew through leaves, stems, and fruits, compromising plant health. We additionally carry Miticides, Rodenticides & more.
Pesticides can be applied in various forms, including sprays, granules, and baits, depending on the pest and the specific needs of the garden. For instance, systemic insecticides are absorbed by plants and provide long-term protection against pests that feed on plant tissues, while contact insecticides kill pests on contact and offer immediate results. Gardeners must follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines when applying pesticides to ensure effective pest control while minimizing risks to beneficial insects, pets, and humans.
Our Selection Of Pesticides
The list below provides the pesticides that we carry and their constituents according to their Material Safety Data Sheets. After this list, we will provide a summary of what pesticides to use for each pest. RTU means Ready to Use and RTS means Ready to Spray (must hook to a hose to spray).
- All Seasons Horticultural Oil Concentrate
- Annual Grub Beater Granules
- Annual Tree & Shrub Insect Control w/ Systemaxx Conc
- Bon-Neem® II Ready-to-Use
- Captain Jack’s Citrus, Fruit, & Nut Orchard Concentrate
- Captain Jack’s Fruit Tree Spray Concentrate
- Captain Jack’s Neem Max RTU w/Power Wand
- Captain Jack’s Neem Oil Concentrate
- Captain Jack’s Neem Oil Ready-to-Use
- Captain Jack’s Rose Rx 4 in 1 Ready to Use
- Annual Grub Beater Granules
- Annual® Tree & Shrub Insect Control w/ Systemaxx Conc
- Annual Tree & Shrub Insect Control w/ Systemaxx Conc
- Bt Bacillus Thuringiensis RTU
- Bug & Slug Killer
- Captain Jack’s DeadBug Brew® Concentrate
- Captain Jack’s DeadBug Brew® Dust
- Captain Jack’s DeadBug Brew® Ready-to-Spray
- Captain Jack’s DeadBug Brew® Ready-to-Use
- Captain Jack’s Fruit Tree Spray Concentrate
- Diatomaceous Earth – Use as a barrier around plants susceptible to crawlers.
- Eight Flower & Vegetable Soil Insect Granules
- Eight Garden & Home Ready-to-Use
- Eight Insect Control Garden Dust
- Eight Vegetable, Fruit, & Flower Concentrate
- Eight Yard & Garden Ready-to-Spray
- Eight® Flower & Vegetable Soil Insect Granules
- Eight Garden & Home Ready-to-Use
- Eight® Insect Control Garden Dust
- Eight Vegetable, Fruit, & Flower Concentrate
- Eight® Yard & Garden RTS
- Eight Yard & Garden Ready-to-Spray
- Fruit Tree & Plant Guard Concentrate
- Insecticidal Soap RTU
- Insecticidal Super Soap RTU
- Insect Control
- Japanese Beetle Bagger Bags
- Japanese Beetle Bagger Lures
- Japanese Beetle Bagger Trap Kit
- Japanese Beetle Killer RTU
- Mosquito Beater Granules – Summit product consisting of 2.86% Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis, Strain SUM 6218 and 97.14% other ingredients (not classified trade secret).
- Mosquito Beater Dunks – Summit product consisting of 10.31% Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis, Strain BMP-144 and 89.69% other ingredients (not classified trade secret). Hmmm.
- Pyrethrin Garden Spray Concentrate
- Rose Shield Systemic Rose & Flower Care Granules
- Rose Shield™ Systemic Rose & Flower Drench
- Slug Magic® Granules
- Stink Bug Traps
- Systemic Granules Insect Control
- Systemic Insect Control
- Systemic Insect Control Concentrate – Bonide product consisting of Acephate
- Systemic Insect Spray RTS
- Systemic Insect Spray Ready-to-Spray
- Systemic Rose & Flower Care Granules
- Repels All Animal Repellant – Bonide product consisting of
- Rose Shield Concentrate
- Rose Shield RTU
- Systemic Houseplant Insect Control
- Thuricide Concentrate – Bonide product consisting of concentrated BT (Bacillus Thuringensus).
- Triple Action – Fertilome product consisting of 70% Clarified Hydrophobic Extract of Neem Oil & 0.25% Pyrethrins. We carry RTU 32 oz, RTS 40 oz, Concentrate 16 oz and Concentrate 8 oz.
Fungicides
Fungicides are vital in gardening for preventing and controlling fungal diseases that can devastate plants and reduce yields. These chemicals work by inhibiting the growth and reproduction of fungi, protecting plants from infections such as powdery mildew, rust, blight, and leaf spot. Fungal diseases can spread rapidly, particularly in warm, moist conditions, and can cause significant damage to both ornamental and edible plants.
The effective use of fungicides in gardening involves understanding the specific fungal diseases affecting plants and selecting the appropriate product. For example, powdery mildew, a common fungal disease that creates a white, powdery coating on leaves and stems, can be controlled with fungicides specifically labeled for this purpose. Fungicides can also be applied as preventive measures before any signs of disease appear, particularly in environments prone to high humidity and poor air circulation, which favor fungal growth. Alternatively, curative fungicides can be used to treat plants already showing symptoms of infection.
Our Selection of Fungicides
Martin Garden Center carries the following contact and systemic Fungicides:
- Copper Fungicide – We carry Bonide brand Captain Jack’s Copper Fungicide in 32 oz Ready-To-Use (RTU), 32 oz Ready-To-Spray (RTS) and 16 oz Concentrate. This is a contact fungicide that is preventative. To be effective, it must coat all parts of the plant. This product is organic.
- Neem Oil is a constituent in multiple combination chemicals in RTU, RTS and Concentrates. The most popular is Ferti-lome Triple Action which contains Pyrethrins and Neem Oil and is available in 32 oz RTU, 32 oz RTS, and 8, 16, and 32 oz Concentrate. Neem Oil is a contact fungicide and is both curative and preventive. To be effective, it must coat all parts of the plant. Note that Neem Oil will be absorbed into the plant but is not considered systemic for fungicidal applications. Using Neem Oil when temperatures exceed 90F will cause burning. So, if you must use Neem or other oils in the hotter months, spray in the evening after temperatures drop below 90F and then rinse your plants well the next morning to remove oil residue. This product is organic.
- Propiconazole (active ingredient in Infuse) – We carry Bonide’s Infuse in 32 oz Ready-To-Use (RTU), 32 oz Ready-To-Spray (RTS) and 16 oz Concentrate. Infuse is a systemic fungicide that is mainly preventative but does have some curative properties. Its residual may extend up to 4 weeks (depending on rain). This product is NOT organic.
- Chlorothalonil (active ingredient in Fung-onil) – We carry Bonide’s Fung-onil in RTU 32 oz and Concentrate 32 oz. Fung-onil is a contact fungicide that is curative and preventative. This product is NOT organic but can be used on fruits and vegetables.
- Wettable Sulfur – We carry Hi-Yield Wettable Sulfur in 4 lb bags. This is a contact fungicide that is This produce is NOT organic but can be used on fruits and vegetables.
These fungicides are used to cure and prevent fungal diseases such as those summarized alphabetically in the paragraphs that follow.
Herbicides
Herbicides are chemicals that manage unwanted weeds that compete with garden plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Weeds can quickly overrun a garden, and Herbicides work by targeting specific physiological processes in plants, either killing them outright or inhibiting their growth. There are two main types of herbicides: selective and non-selective. Selective herbicides are formulated to kill specific types of weeds while leaving other plants unharmed, making them ideal for use in lawns and garden beds. Non-selective herbicides kill all vegetation they come into contact with and are typically used for clearing areas of all plant growth, such as driveways, sidewalks, and preparing garden beds for planting.
Using herbicides requires careful selection and application to address specific weed problems without harming desirable plants. For example, selective herbicides can target broadleaf weeds like dandelions and clover in a lawn without damaging the grass. Timing is also crucial when applying herbicides; pre-emergent herbicides are applied before weeds germinate to prevent their growth, while post-emergent herbicides are used to kill existing weeds. Gardeners must follow the product label instructions regarding dosage, timing, and application methods to maximize effectiveness and minimize environmental impact.
Our Selection Of Herbicides
At Martin Garden Center, we carry a VERY LIMITED selection of herbicides due to space limitations. The two that we carry are non-selective and organic.
First, Bonide Captain Jack’s Dead Weed Brew is an organic herbicide. The two main active ingredients of this herbicide are capric acid at 2.17% and caprylic acid at 2.62%. These acids are derived from coconut oil, palm oil, and human and bovine milk.
The Dead Weed Brew is a non-selective killer. It is quite effective, and the results are immediate. You may need to apply more than once when dealing with stubborn weeds. It does not work on woody shrubs and vines. We carry both the 128 oz ready to use and the smaller 32 oz ready to use.
We also carry TO ADD SECOND HERBICIDE HERE
Safe Usage & Handling Of Chemicals
Properly using and handling garden chemicals is crucial for ensuring personal safety and protecting the environment. When working with these products, always read and follow the label instructions carefully for information on the correct dosage and application methods. At a minimum, make sure to use gloves, long sleeves, pants when applying garden chemicals. Additionally, it’s important to keep chemicals out of reach of children and pets, store them in their original containers with labels intact, and secure them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Disposal of garden chemicals should also be done responsibly. Never pour leftover chemicals down the drain or into storm sewers, as this can lead to water contamination and harm wildlife. If you accidentally spill a garden chemical, clean it up immediately and dispose of the contaminated material according to local regulations.
Herbicides
Herbicides are chemicals that manage unwanted weeds that compete with garden plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Weeds can quickly overrun a garden, and Herbicides work by targeting specific physiological processes in plants, either killing them outright or inhibiting their growth. There are two main types of herbicides: selective and non-selective. Selective herbicides are formulated to kill specific types of weeds while leaving other plants unharmed, making them ideal for use in lawns and garden beds. Non-selective herbicides kill all vegetation they come into contact with and are typically used for clearing areas of all plant growth, such as driveways, sidewalks, and preparing garden beds for planting.
Using herbicides requires careful selection and application to address specific weed problems without harming desirable plants. For example, selective herbicides can target broadleaf weeds like dandelions and clover in a lawn without damaging the grass. Timing is also crucial when applying herbicides; pre-emergent herbicides are applied before weeds germinate to prevent their growth, while post-emergent herbicides are used to kill existing weeds. Gardeners must follow the product label instructions regarding dosage, timing, and application methods to maximize effectiveness and minimize environmental impact.
Our Selection Of Herbicides
At Martin Garden Center, we carry a VERY LIMITED selection of herbicides due to space limitations. The two that we carry are non-selective and organic.
First, Bonide Captain Jack’s Dead Weed Brew is an organic herbicide. The two main active ingredients of this herbicide are capric acid at 2.17% and caprylic acid at 2.62%. These acids are derived from coconut oil, palm oil, and human and bovine milk.
The Dead Weed Brew is a non-selective killer. It is quite effective, and the results are immediate. You may need to apply more than once when dealing with stubborn weeds. It does not work on woody shrubs and vines. We carry both the 128 oz ready to use and the smaller 32 oz ready to use.
We also carry TO ADD SECOND HERBICIDE HERE
Safe Usage & Handling Of Chemicals
Properly using and handling garden chemicals is crucial for ensuring personal safety and protecting the environment. When working with these products, always read and follow the label instructions carefully for information on the correct dosage and application methods. At a minimum, make sure to use gloves, long sleeves, pants when applying garden chemicals. Additionally, it’s important to keep chemicals out of reach of children and pets, store them in their original containers with labels intact, and secure them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Disposal of garden chemicals should also be done responsibly. Never pour leftover chemicals down the drain or into storm sewers, as this can lead to water contamination and harm wildlife. If you accidentally spill a garden chemical, clean it up immediately and dispose of the contaminated material according to local regulations.