Getting the spring garden started properly can be a challenge. One
thing you'll likely encounter during the growing season is insect pests
in the garden. When you're planning the garden layout and content, add a
few plants help deal with this issue and keep the bad bugs away.
You can also include plants that attract good bugs, those that do away with the crop munching bad bugs often found in the garden. Plant for the battle of the bugs, you'll find the good ones generally win.
This organic form of pest control is simple. With the right timing, you can have several plants growing that either repel the bad bugs, attract the good bugs or both.
Garlic
Plant garlic in autumn or late in winter, depending upon your USDA Hardiness zone. The smell of this easy to grow plant drives away many flying and crawling pests such as aphids, which love to pierce and suck on new, tender plant growth.
If, for some reason, you don't want to grow garlic in the garden, you can still use it as a pest deterrent. Crush a few cloves, mix with oil and apply it by spraying on or around growing vegetables to repel bad bugs.
Plant garlic sparingly and only plant near plants that normally experience insect damage, such as those of the cruciferous clan. Too much garlic can keep away the good bugs you wish to attract to the garden.
Painted Daisy
Painted daisy perennial flowers, botanically called Tanacetum coccineumor Pyrethrum roseum, repel many bad bugs in the garden. These pretty flowers also repel browsing animals that may damage crops by munching on them. The repellant properties of this flower are so beneficial that petals of the white variety of the painted daisy are dried for use in the organic insecticide, Pyrethrum.
Growing painted daisies keeps pests away from nearby plants. Tender plants of this variety may occasionally be bothered by aphids or leaf miners. Treat with a garlic or soapy spray if you see these insects damaging the young painted daisy.
Nasturtium and Marigold
French marigold flowers are useful insect deterrents for both the ornamental and vegetable gardens. Marigolds also repel mosquitoes and kill bad nematodes in the soil.
The perky, spring blooming nasturtium flower is a powerhouse for repelling bad bugs in the garden. Wooly aphids, cucumber beetles and white flies avoid areas where nasturtiums bloom. The yellow flowering variety is particularly useful for trapping aphids. Sunflowers can also draw aphids from more valuable plants.
Attract pollinators and other useful insects to the garden by planting lavender, bee balm and petunias. Other plants that may attract good bugs to the garden include borage, basil and hyssop.
Experiment with other highly fragrant or strong scented plants in the garden. Success will depend on where the garden grows and what bad bugs may be waiting to attack, but from these selections you're likely to find success at keeping the bad bugs away.
You can also include plants that attract good bugs, those that do away with the crop munching bad bugs often found in the garden. Plant for the battle of the bugs, you'll find the good ones generally win.
This organic form of pest control is simple. With the right timing, you can have several plants growing that either repel the bad bugs, attract the good bugs or both.
Garlic
Plant garlic in autumn or late in winter, depending upon your USDA Hardiness zone. The smell of this easy to grow plant drives away many flying and crawling pests such as aphids, which love to pierce and suck on new, tender plant growth.
If, for some reason, you don't want to grow garlic in the garden, you can still use it as a pest deterrent. Crush a few cloves, mix with oil and apply it by spraying on or around growing vegetables to repel bad bugs.
Plant garlic sparingly and only plant near plants that normally experience insect damage, such as those of the cruciferous clan. Too much garlic can keep away the good bugs you wish to attract to the garden.
Painted Daisy
Painted daisy perennial flowers, botanically called Tanacetum coccineumor Pyrethrum roseum, repel many bad bugs in the garden. These pretty flowers also repel browsing animals that may damage crops by munching on them. The repellant properties of this flower are so beneficial that petals of the white variety of the painted daisy are dried for use in the organic insecticide, Pyrethrum.
Growing painted daisies keeps pests away from nearby plants. Tender plants of this variety may occasionally be bothered by aphids or leaf miners. Treat with a garlic or soapy spray if you see these insects damaging the young painted daisy.
Nasturtium and Marigold
French marigold flowers are useful insect deterrents for both the ornamental and vegetable gardens. Marigolds also repel mosquitoes and kill bad nematodes in the soil.
The perky, spring blooming nasturtium flower is a powerhouse for repelling bad bugs in the garden. Wooly aphids, cucumber beetles and white flies avoid areas where nasturtiums bloom. The yellow flowering variety is particularly useful for trapping aphids. Sunflowers can also draw aphids from more valuable plants.
Attract pollinators and other useful insects to the garden by planting lavender, bee balm and petunias. Other plants that may attract good bugs to the garden include borage, basil and hyssop.
Experiment with other highly fragrant or strong scented plants in the garden. Success will depend on where the garden grows and what bad bugs may be waiting to attack, but from these selections you're likely to find success at keeping the bad bugs away.
