Good Bugs, Bad Bugs – Insects in the Garden and When to Step In

Not all bugs are bad! In this episode, we take a closer look at the insects in your garden — the good, the bad, and everything in between. You’ll learn how to tell if a bug is helpful or harmful, when to intervene, and why most plants can handle a little nibbling without any real harm.

We also dive into the debate between organic and synthetic insecticides — breaking down the myths, facts, and what you really need to know about treating your garden safely. Spoiler alert: everything is a chemical, and both options have risks if misused.

Whether you're a new gardener or a seasoned grower, this video will help you create a more balanced, thriving garden ecosystem by understanding how to live with insects — not just fight them.

🌿 Because sometimes, the best pest control… is patience.

#GardeningTips #InsectControl #GoodBugsBadBugs #OrganicGardening #GardenPests #NaturalGardening #HomesteadGarden #EcoFriendlyGardening #GardeningEducation #HobbyFarming

When the Garden Takes Over—A Hobby Farm Reality Check

Every year, I tell myself the same lie: “I’m just going to plant a few things this season.” A modest garden. Some tomatoes. Maybe squash. Just the essentials.

Then seed catalogs arrive, and suddenly I’m planning for pumpkins, beans, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, cantaloupe, herbs I won’t use, and five different types of lettuce that will all bolt before I touch them.

Welcome to the annual garden explosion—that magical time when your starter trays multiply, your ducks think the mulch is a snack bar, and you find a seedling in your boot.

This week at Andersen Acres, the chaos is in full bloom. The squash are already trying to crawl out of their raised bed, the cantaloupe have declared war on the onions, and the goats keep giving me judgmental side-eye from the pasture like, “You sure about this, human?”

But honestly? I love it. Every wild, weedy, bug-nibbled bit of it.

Because hobby farming isn’t about control. It’s about dancing with nature, even if you trip over a cucumber vine in the process.