Garden season is here. Let’s talk about natural pest control. Many gardeners tend to grow flowers in front, and vegetables in back, and that’s a fine way to garden. But did you realize you can get more from your vegetable garden if you also plant flowers nearby?
Natural Pest Control
There are several flower varieties that are extremely helpful at fighting the pests that eat your garden vegetables. Plant them nearby to help deter and fight insect pests, without harmful chemicals. If you like to grow your garden as organically as possible, this is great news!
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums originated in Asian countries and come in a variety of beautiful colors. This flower is an efficient Japanese beetle deterrent. Some gardeners even make the flowers into a tea and spray it on other plants as a natural pesticide. They are a perennial flower, and thus will return year after year, so be sure that you would like them to remain wherever you plant them.
Lavender
Besides being one of the most beautiful and fragrant flowers there is, lavender is insanely useful at repelling insects in the garden, precisely because of the scent. Lavender repels moths, fleas and whiteflies. For the best use against whiteflies, grow lavender next to the vegetables you want to protect most. Lavender also has medicinal properties!
Marigolds
I have planted marigolds around the perimeter of my vegetable garden, and not just to deter insects. {Deer are a problem in my area, and they don’t seem to like marigolds}. Marigolds are also a deterrent for insects including whiteflies and nematoads. It’s best used on a perimeter, because it attracts snails. For the best results when using marigolds to deter pests, make sure you choose a scented variety. Not all marigolds have a scent.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums, which are edible, attract and trap aphids. They also repel whiteflies, squash bugs, and cucumber beetles. See our post for more on nasturtiums and other Delicious Ornamental Edibles.
There you have it. One of the best natural pest control ideas for a garden is planting flowers. They fight insects and also add a lot of beauty.
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