If you were patient enough to read through "New Year's Resolutions Part I" you already know my stance on pesticides, non-organic fertilizers, and the use of other biochemical warfare in the yard. It's a sad assumption some people make that without those tools in the arsenal, a beautiful yard is unattainable. I believe the opposite is true, your yard will be more naturally lovely, more carefree, and less of a burden if you choose plants and shrubs that are naturally pest resistant.
That said, sometimes it's not possible to have a yard completely pest proof, especially if you enjoy growing your own vegetables. I recently read an article in the September/October 2012 of "All Animals" magazine, which is a publication sent to me courtesy of my membership in the Humane Society of the United States and may seem like an unlikely gardening resource but surprisingly isn't, called "Backyard Harmony". In this article were many reader suggestions about how to gently discourage pests from eating your yard. Such suggestions as using soap shavings (Irish Spring soap was mentioned due to its strong scent, but if you are really looking for a humane treatment try picking a strong smelling soap produced by a corporation that doesn't test on animals), dog hair (from a dog's hairbrush), and dirty socks with a human scent to deter animals from their gardens. Another good suggestion for keeping crows out of the garden is to hang used CDs from tree branches, or mount CDs on stakes, as the birds don't like the glare from the shiny side of the disk.
There are other suggestions, too, such as fencing or netting, over the area which you wish to keep pest free. It's good to either consult with other gardeners, ask at a local nursery, or thumb through a magazine or two and see what suggestions appeal to you. I will usually keep a good article in my gardening library in the event I'd like to go back and review it at a later time (usually in winter when Spring doesn't seem to be arriving fast enough!).
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