5 Ways to Naturally Protect Your Garden from Pests
Pests see your vegetable garden as an all-you-can-eat buffet. Instead of running out and buying pesticides, here are 5 ways to naturally protect your garden from pests.
Spray your plants with soapy water
Add 2 ½ tablespoons of nonbleach liquid dish soap, and 2 ½ tablespoons of vegetable oil to a 1-gallon jug of distilled or tap water. Shake up the jug and carefully pour the contents into a spray bottle.
Viola! You now have a natural pest control spray.
Remember to shake the spray bottle periodically as you apply your non-toxic pest control mixture to the plant leaves.
Add flowers and herbs to your vegetable garden
The best flowers and herbs to help protect your vegetable garden from pests:
Marigolds
Petunias
Chrysanthemums
Tansy
Basil
Rosemary
Bay leaf
Plant onions and garlic
There are tons of organic insect repellents out there, keeping pests out of your garden naturally is easier than you think! Planting onions and garlic between or around vegetables will deter insects and vampires! Just kidding. If you have vampires, you’ve got a bigger pest problem and should probably consider wooden stakes.
Chopsticks deter bigger pests
Speaking of wooden stakes, chopsticks keep bigger pests like dogs, cats, and rabbits from getting to and digging up young plants. Stick several in the ground around each plant as a protective barrier.
Use essential oils for pest control
While humans love the smell of essential oils, insects are repelled by them. To make your own essential oil pest control spray, add 20 drops of essential oil to 4 ounces of water and spray on and around your plants. You’ll need to spray again after it rains. It’s also a good idea to spray after picking vegetables from your garden because insects are attracted to the smell of freshly cut plants.
Some essential oils that repel insects include:
Rosemary
Lavender
Peppermint
Spearmint
Cedarwood
Lemongrass
Tea Tree Oil
Natural pest control is best
With these 5 ways of naturally protecting your vegetable garden from pests, you will ensure your plants thrive, and your food will be safe for eating. If you are looking for more natural pest control options for your garden, check out 22 Ways To Combat Garden Pests Naturally by Deborah Tukua for more natural pesticide tips and tricks.
If you are looking for gardening tools to help you get started, our Seeding Square will help you garden better! Perfect for teaching kids how to garden, for beginners, and for more advanced Gardners who are looking to save time!