Numerous books and internet resources are dedicated to organic gardening practices. Data to support or refute claims made by such sources are limited. Empirical studies that have tested the recommendations of companion planting for attracting natural enemies have provided promising results for suppression or control of certain scales insects and white grubs. Companion planting was unsuccessful, however, when deployed to protect roses from a generalist scarab, the Japanese beetle. Similar sources of organic gardening tips may provide ideas for new botanical insecticides. Although not all claims of plants that possess insecticidal properties are true, the zonal geranium, Pelargonium hortorum, is toxic to some phytophagous pest species. Investigation of organic gardening claims will only produce positive results either from dispelling false claims or by uncovering new insights for managing pests of urban landscapes.