Spring has sprung, and so is the time to banish bugs from your garden this season! The growing period is here, and gardeners are excited to start their green party! If you enjoy gardening, you may find these hacks and resources helpful. It is disheartening to watch pests wreak havoc in your garden. You worked so hard and poured your love into your living sanctuary. That’s why we have compiled a few tips and tricks to help you banish bugs from your garden this season. The best part about this list is that no harmful chemicals are necessary! You can safely use all of these herbs and other substances without harming yourself, your pets, and, of course, your beautiful plants.
10 Herbs That Will Banish Bugs from Your Garden This Season
Parsley
Parsley attracts hoverflies, which consume large numbers of aphids. Lettuce is particularly vulnerable to aphids, so consider planting parsley in your garden.
Oregano
The strong scent of oregano deters cabbage butterflies and bean beetles but attracts pollinators. Oregano is also a resilient plant that endures even when the temperature starts to cool.
Sage
The eggplant and tomatoes in your garden love you for planting sage. The powerful aroma of sage is effective in deterring flea beetles. The worst enemy of nightshades is the flea beetle.
Thyme
Whiteflies are another common pest of gardens. One way to deal with these gnawing critters is to plant thyme. If left unchecked, whiteflies will devastate your tomato plants.
Basil
More than a beautiful garnish for your pasta or eggs, basil can be your best defense against mosquitoes and flies. If you want to enjoy working in your garden without being eaten alive by annoying mosquitoes, you may want to plant basil this season.
Marigolds
Beat back squash bugs, hornworms, and whiteflies with marigolds! They are lovely and colorful but will help keep these pests out. Marigolds are another way to banish bugs from your garden this season!
Cilantro
It has been said that most people either love or hate cilantro. Many common garden pests do not appreciate cilantro. The scent of cilantro confuses pests, and they often fail to find their way to their targeted plants.
Catnip
An enemy to most pests, catnip keeps everything from cockroaches, ants, fleas, aphids, and many more pests away from crops. Catnip is great to plant near potato plants.
Mint
Secure your squash by planting mint! Mint, catnip, and nasturtium can help protect squash plants.
Chives
Peter Cottontail is adorable- but you don’t want him nibbling away at your garden, so plant chives to protect your plants from rabbits, carrot flies, Japanese beetles, aphids, and mites!
Other Resources and Methods to Help Keep Your Garden Pest-Free This Season
Another natural pesticide that seems to be growing in popularity is diatomaceous earth. One gardener I know likes to sprinkle this all over her garden. She says that diatomaceous earth is the only chemical-free substance that will repel squash bugs and maggots while being harmless to everything else. Neem oil is another popular substance gardeners use for pesticides that are tough on bugs but easy on Mother Earth and the people tending it! There are many ways to keep your garden green and flourishing without harmful chemicals. Combining the natural power of pungent herbs in your garden with other earthly elements will do your garden wonders. Your plants will love you for it!
What kind of pests are most problematic in your garden, and how will you banish bugs from your garden this season? What do you do about it? Let us know!
