Weeds and pests compete with your plants for food and water, so you will need to get rid of them to keep your plants healthy. But there is no need to reach for chemicals that are harmful to your children, pets, and the environment when natural alternatives are just as effective.

Skip the Chemicals

Replace your toxic chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers with these greener solutions:

• Liquid soap. Soap works wonders at eliminating aphids, sawflies, spider mites, scale, whiteflies, and wasps. Mix two tablespoons of liquid soap with one gallon of water in a spray bottle. Alternatively, mix one cup vegetable oil (such as corn or safflower) with one tablespoon dish soap and one gallon of water and spray on plants.

• Vinegar. Regular, household vinegar is an effective herbicide that can kill weeds without harming the environment. However, be sure to use it sparingly and only in areas where you don't want anything to grow as it will kill any plant in its path (from dandelions to your prized roses).

• Hot pepper. Combine one-half cup hot pepper with two cups of water in your blender and spray on garden plants to detract pests such as cucumber beetles, tomato hornworms, and caterpillars.

• Corn gluten. Corn gluten is a nontoxic byproduct of milling corn that kills weed seedlings and adds nitrogen to the soil. It only works on plants before they sprout, so it is safe to use on existing grass. It is especially effective against crabgrass.

• Bacillus Thuringiensis. This bacterium, also known as Bt, can be added to your garden in powder or spray form to attack garden pests.

• Beer. To get rid of slugs and snails, fill a small dish with beer to attract the pests and drown them.

• Plants. Check with your local garden center to learn more about plants that you can use to naturally protect your garden. For instance, daisies will attract wasps that eat beetles.