Garden chemicals or Pesticides 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.
Pesticide is a very broadly defined term to essentially cover any material which deters, controls or kills a pest, and that pest may be an insect (e.g., Insecticides (including Miticides), a vole (e.g., Rodenticides), rabbits and dear (e.g., Animal Repellants), fungal diseases such as powdery mildew or leaf spot (e.g., Fungicides), or an unwanted weed or plant (e.g., Herbicides).
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.
Common Pests and Disease Control
Effectively managing pests and diseases in your garden starts with accurate identification of the pests. Martin Garden Center teaches a Bugs Class that cover common pests found in the Upstate, and how to Identify, Deter & Eradicate each commonly found pest. Check our course offerings for more information.
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 pesticides for these issues involves selecting the appropriate form of pest control. For instance, insecticidal soaps are effective against soft-bodied insects like aphids, while systemic fungicides can control persistent fungal infections. But, you wouldn’t use insecticidal soap for fungal infections.
Regular monitoring of your garden is essential to detect problems early and apply treatments 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. Implementing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, which combine pesticide 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. Using repellant plants and sacrificial plants can also deter pests from your garden. By staying vigilant and proactive, you can keep your garden thriving and minimize the impact of pests and diseases.
Insecticides, Rodenticides and Animal Repellants
Pesticides are chemicals that are formulated to target a variety of pests, including insects, mites, rodents, and nuisance animals, ensuring that gardens remain healthy and productive. In this section, we will cover Martin Garden Center’s Animal Repellents, followed by Rodenticides and finally Insecticides (our largest ad broadest offering)
Our Selection of Animal Repellants
- Bonide Snake Stopper
- LIST GOES HERE
- Epic Deer Scram
Our Selection of Rodenticides
Mole and Vole killer
Our Selection Of Insecticides
- LIST GOES HERE
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
Bonide’s Captain Jack’s Copper Fungicide. We carry the 32 oz Ready to Use and the 32 oz concentrate
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
Thuricide Liquid RTU
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
Diatomaceous Earth
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
Insecticidal Soap RTU
Insecticidal Soap RTU
Insecticidal Super Soap RTU
Insecticidal Super Soap Ready-to-Use
Japanese Beetle Bagger® Bags
Japanese Beetle Bagger Bags
Japanese Beetle Bagger® Lures
Japanese Beetle Bagger Lures
Japanese Beetle Bagger® Trap Kit
Japanese Beetle Bagger Trap Kit
Japanese Beetle Killer RTU
Japanese Beetle Killer Ready-to-Use
Mite-X® RTU
Mite-X Ready-to-Use
Pyrethrin Garden Spray Conc
Pyrethrin Garden Spray Concentrate
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
Fruit Tree & Plant Guard Concentrate
Insecticidal Super Soap Ready-to-Use
Mosquito Beater Granules
Rose Shield Systemic Rose & Flower Care Granules
Rose Shield™ Systemic Rose & Flower Drench
Rose Shield Systemic Rose & Flower Drench
Slug Magic® Granules
Slug Magic Granules
Stink Bug Traps
Stink Bug Traps
Systemic Granules Insect Control
Systemic Insect Control
Systemic Insect Control Concentrate
Systemic Insect Spray RTS
Systemic Insect Spray Ready-to-Spray
Systemic Rose & Flower Care Granules
Rose Shield Concentrate
Rose Shield RTU
Systemic Houseplant Insect Control
Thuricide Concentrate
Espoma
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 (NONE IN STOCK CURRENTLY) and the smaller 32 oz ready to use.
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.