Naturally control pests in the garden this growing season with these really simple tips and tricks including attracting beneficial bugs, planting certain flowers and herbs, and more!
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If you took the plunge and planted a garden this year, congratulations! By now, you might even be enjoying some of your spring vegetables, gorgeous green herbs, and a beautiful rainbow of flowers. It feels good! Doesn't it? Getting to enjoy plants and vegetables you grew with your own two hands?
You might've also noticed that a few pests have made their way into your garden and are using it as their own personal salad bar. Unfortunately, you're not going to completely eliminate pests from munching on your garden. But there are a few things you can do to help control them.
Sure, there are plenty of sprays and treatments you can add to your plants to keep pesky insects away. But do you really want to do that? Especially if you're using your garden as a food source.
Not only are we growing a vegetable garden, but I am growing plenty of herbs and flowers to use in my Etsy shop. Some of my products include bath products. So we're trying to grow a garden that's as chemical-free as possible.
Naturally Control Pests in the Garden
The good news is that there are really easy ways to keep garden pests away from your veggies, flowers, and other plants. In fact, you might've already planted a few things that will help! But here are a few things we've done to control who's invited to our garden party.
Attract Birds to Your Yard
One of the easiest ways to control nasty little bugs in your garden is by attracting birds to your yard. Put up a bird house, add a bath, give them a place to hang in the shade and they'll reward you by feeding on pests. It's a win-win if you're like me and enjoying watching different birds visit the yard.
Check out this post for some easy ways to attract some feathered friends!
Plant Pollinator Plants
I'm the type of person who is always looking for a good excuse to add a new plant to my yard. So if you're looking for a natural way to deter pests, here's your chance to go buy some new plants!
Last year - when we started our garden extension - I knew I wanted to add several pollinator plants to a section of the garden. I did some research, watched which plants were being visited by pollinators at garden centers, and planted a nice little pollinator garden.
Turns out, these pollinator plants aren't just a pretty way to fill the garden and attract beneficial pollinators, they'll also help control pests as well. Kind of like bringing the birds to the yard, pollinator plants will attract beneficial insects that will help control the nasty guys, like aphids.
Plant Flowers that are Known Pest Repellants
There are some flowers that are common pest repellents. Marigolds are one of the most common - and easiest plants to find - that are great for repelling pests. Their strong scent is often a deterrent to bugs. Because of this, they make great companion plants for tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs like basil.
I'm still waiting for my marigolds to open (planted from seed). But they're a favorite in and around our garden. Here in New Jersey, they continue to flower throughout the summer heat and last through the fall.
And I just learned that petunias also repel aphids, some beetles, and tomato worms! I've been planting these flowers for years just because I love them and they've been serving an extra purpose in our garden all this time!
Plant Herbs that Repel Pests
If you're like me and like to grow lots of fresh herbs for culinary use, you're in luck! A variety of these herbs are natural pest repellents. Plants like oregano, mint, lemon balm, lemongrass, rosemary, sage, and basil - all things growing in our garden - will help keep pests away.
Purchase Ladybugs or Praying Mantises
If your aphid problem is really getting out of hand, you can actually purchase ladybugs and praying mantises to release in your garden. Thankfully, we have lots of birds, dragonflies, and hoverflies hanging out in our garden. They're taking care of business!
But if ever gets to a point where you notice little pests everywhere (usually hanging out on stems and underneath leaves), you might want to call your local greenhouse. One of the greenhouses near me sometimes sells ladybugs. I've also seen them available for purchase on Amazon.
But honestly, you're probably better off shopping local and not having to worry about their state upon arrival.
Keep Your Plants and Garden Clean
I'm sure you already know that having a successful garden comes with maintenance. But another added benefit to a neat and tidy garden is that it keeps the bad bugs away.
Pulling weeds, removing dead leaves, and the like will prevent rot and decay which ultimately attracts pests and creates other problems like disease.
And if you love being outside in your yard and garden as much as I do, all of this cleanup won't feel like work to you. I actually quite enjoy it!
If you still feel like you need to spray something to keep those little buggers away, make an all-natural, DIY pesticide made with garlic, herbs, and essential oils.
Hopefully these simple tips will help keep those nasty pests off of your plants and out of your garden! Have a tip to share that's not on the list? Please leave a comment below! I'm always looking for new ways to keep our garden flourishing!
