Take Home an Army of Nature’s Favorite Defenders During Armstrong Garden Centers’ Ladybug Weekend

Look out, Pasadena! Here come 2 million ladybugs! But don’t worry, they’re good for your garden.

Armstrong Garden Centers Pasadena will be giving away ladybugs to customers all weekend long, as the colorful critters thrive in Pasadena’s dry climate and are the most popular organic pest control for any garden.

Ladybug weekend will also feature classes on organic gardening and tips and tricks for creating your own mini ladybug sanctuary.

“We are in a nice position that we can offer ladybugs and they will do a fantastic job of ridding your rose bushes or tomatoes or anything that will attract nasty pests. Pasadena is fantastic for hosting ladybugs in your garden,” said Armstrong Garden Centers Pasadena visual merchandiser Sebastian Brandt.

Armstrong Garden Centers plans to give away over 2 million ladybugs this weekend in the form of individual packets containing 150 ladybugs per purchase, per family.

“Our customers can take it home with them where they will get to experience the benefits of ladybugs,” said Brandt.

Saturday’s events features classes that discuss the benefits of ladybugs in home gardens; they consume natural pests such as aphids, spider mites, snails, and other insects.

Sunday will feature discussions about organic gardening at home using certain soils, compost, and more.

Customers can find a variety of organic flowers and vegetable plants for sale as well as organic pesticides to deter any disease or pests that are prone to gardens.

“It’s all of these things that organic gardeners love about ladybugs,” said Brandt.

Ladybugs are particularly important in battling invasive pests in Southern California gardens.

According to Brandt, the increased use of drought-tolerant plants in home gardens in recent years following unrelenting dry spells actually attracts these insects.

The solution to keeping them away? Ladybugs.

“We have a big team of people here that are more than willing to share our knowledge with gardeners so they can go home and create their own organic sanctuary in their own space. This is a remarkable opportunity to bring your family and to learn about beneficial bugs in your garden,” said Brandt.

Ladybug weekend runs Friday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Armstrong Garden Centers Pasadena, 352 E. Glenarm St.

Customers will receive one free packet of ladybugs per purchase, per family. Supplies are limited and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis at all Armstrong stores.

For more information, go to www.armstronggarden.com.