Growing a beautiful garden is a rewarding experience, but garden pests can quickly ruin all your hard work. Planting certain flowers, such as marigolds, daffodils and garlic, can help deter garden pests and keep your garden looking great. Read on to find out more about these plants and how to use them to protect your garden from the ravages of pests.
How to Deter Garden Pests with Plants
Planting certain flowers can help deter garden pests. For example, are thought to repel bugs and are often planted around vegetable gardens.
Daffodils can be planted in the summer and early fall, when very few pests are active, and the bulbs can be left in the ground for spring. Garlic is another flower that can help keep away garden pests; it can be planted in the late winter and will grow in the spring.
All of these flowers can help protect your garden from pesky animals and insects. When planting the flowers, be sure to keep them spaced out so they have plenty of room to grow. If they are too close, they may not be as effective at keeping pests away.
Plant these flowers in a sunny spot and make sure they are getting enough water. Proper care will give them the best chance to repel garden pests and keep your garden looking healthy and beautiful.
Marigolds
Marigolds are a great choice for deterring garden pests. Not only do the vibrant yellow and orange colors of marigolds make your garden look beautiful, but their strong scent will also keep away garden pests such as aphids, slugs, and beetles.
Planting marigolds near other plants susceptible to garden pests is a great way to keep them safe. You can also add nematodes to the soil around the marigolds, which will further help to control the pests. When planting marigolds, keep in mind that they thrive in full sun.
Make sure the soil is well-draining and moist, as marigolds don’t do well in soggy soil.
Deadheading spent flowers will help keep the plants blooming longer. You can add organic matter such as aged compost to the soil to help keep the marigolds healthy and strong. Enjoy the beautiful colors and scents of your marigolds while they protect your garden from pests!
Daffodils
Daffodils are a great way to deter garden pests while also adding a bit of beauty to your garden. These flowers contain a substance called lycorine that is toxic to many animals, including rabbits, deer, and rodents. Planting daffodils near vulnerable plants in your garden can keep them safe from hungry critters.
These flowers can also act as a trap crop; pests may be attracted to them, but the lycorine will keep them away from your other plants.
Make sure to plant daffodils in an area where they will receive plenty of sunlight and water. When planting daffodils, be sure to use a soil rich in organic matter, such as compost.
Make sure to give them enough space to grow so they won’t compete with other plants for nutrients. You can even get creative and plant different varieties of daffodils to create a stunning display of colors. And don’t forget to add a layer of mulch around your daffodils to help keep the soil from drying out. With a bit of care and attention, you can create a beautiful garden that will also be pest-free.
Garlic
Garlic is a great deterrent for garden pests. It’s easy to grow, and once it’s established in your garden, it will keep bugs at bay. Plant garlic in your garden early in the season and keep it well-watered.
You can also hang garlic cloves in your plants to help keep pests away. The smell of garlic repels many bugs, so it’s a natural and effective way to help protect your garden.
Another way to use garlic to deter garden pests is to create a garlic spray.
Simply mash up a few cloves of garlic with some water and strain it. Then add a tablespoon of dish soap and spray the mixture onto the affected plants. This will help keep garden pests away while still being gentle enough on the plants.
You can chop up some garlic and sprinkle it around the edges of your garden and around your plants. This will help keep away some pests, as well as add a pleasant, garlicky scent to your garden. Garlic is a natural and effective way to keep your garden free from pests, so give it a try!