One of the challenges to growing an organic garden is finding natural solutions to garden problems like damaging insects. The birds are adept at keeping populations of many insects to a minimum, but in the case of pests like ants, aphids and spider mites the birds are not of much help. What else can be done to keep unwanted guests from ruining your garden? Try nature!
- Herbs: Strong scented herbs like anise, mint and tansy planted in the vicinity of susceptible plants can be enough to deter certain insects. If close isn’t close enough, finely chop the leaves of the herbs and let steep in water to make a foliar spray. Anise leaves used this way are an effective control for spider mites, tansy is very effective against ants and mint against fleas.
- Flowers: Not only are flowers beneficial to attract pollinators to the garden, some are also effective in deterring insects. Plant asters, marigolds, cosmos, coreopsis and chrysanthemums in and around your beds for color, cutting and control of unwanted insects. Interplanting is an old and trusted way to keep insects under control.
- Insects: Introducing beneficial natural predators to the garden where they can live and multiply is a common garden practice. Ladybugs and mantises feast on aphids, scale, mealy bugs, crickets and larvae. Local garden centers often have ladybugs in stock, if yours doesn’t ask them to consider adding them for the garden season!
- Weeds: Yes, even the weeds in your yard can deter unwanted bugs. Have you noticed that weeds are often unbothered by garden pests? Take advantage of their natural bug-chasing organic compounds. Pick several, chop finely and make a foliar spray for chewing insects. For the ground dwellers, scatter the chopped leaves throughout the beds. Give weeding new meaning by using the pulled-up plants as protection!
Before deciding to apply a synthetic insecticide that harms your soil and kills beneficial pollinators, try working with nature to solve your garden problems. It’s less damaging to the environment, your health and it costs less money. The benefits far outweigh time spent preparing foliar sprays and chopping weeds. Remember, “Natural is best for nature at its best.” Happy gardening!
Wonderful bit of natural garden advice I’ll share it! Again your picture really show well…
Annie (your Green soil source) : )
Healthy gardens are a blend of natural solutions to problems and healthy soil and plants! You’re part of the solution!
I have marigold seeds growing right now because I swear by them!
Great information and wonderful Tweet!
Happy Monday
Great reminder! I just saw the first of the small black ants that come creeping into my kitchen each spring (they’re early this year!)
I use a couple drops of peppermint oil at their entry point and they re-route themselves. If they get a foothold before I remember to do this I put some peppermint oil in a spray bottle w/ a bit of water and spray along their path. They really don’t like it!
thanks for the great info as always!
~Annica
I love that answers for pest problems can so easily be found in nature! Herbs are absolutely amazing!!
and who does not love that Mother Nature works 24/7 against. Always on the clock fighting pest…(and always working 24/7 trying to eat your veggies if you are the pest). Matti
If only more people realized the power of working with nature! Gardening could be very different…
Kudos to you Lisa for practising and advocating natural gardening.
Thank you Melanie, I’m glad to be part of a growing number of gardeners (including you!) that realize the importance of working with nature. There’s so much more to learn!
Great Post. Marigolds are great, as on picture, and we use garlic as well here against black flies. Especially popular around broad beans, as the little black things love the new shoots of the beans
Amazing, easy, natural solutions to keep the garden healthy! I love it!
It is not necessary to use much in the way of insecticides in the garden. There are ways to maintain the balance, but I would be very very careful about planting mint and tansy! Put them where they can be easily managed. They both spread energetically by aggressive roots. I know because I now have a mixed tansy and mint pasture. Monarchs love the mint. I will say that.
I agree! I thank you for pointing out the importance of knowing what you’re planting. It’s very important to research a plant before deciding to use it. Become familiar with the invasive plants for your area and maintain your garden responsibly once planted. (Including dead-heading and containing invasive roots by planting in pots etc.) That said, Tansy will not spread like wildfire if deadheaded properly and mint is quite happy in a pot if you don’t want a large patch!