No matter how many crops you try to grow, bugs will always find a way to spoil your vegetables. You may be wondering what you can do about this pest problem without using harmful chemicals or sprays.
In general, it is better to avoid mistakes than to correct them. Cinnamon, garlic, marigolds, and onions are good tools to keep bugs out of your garden. Natural pesticides like vinegar, hot sauce, honey, and baking soda are ways to prevent bugs from eating your garden after they're already there.
Organic ways to get rid of insects in the garden.
Set up an insect trap
You can eliminate errors by setting up an error trap. You can buy these traps online or make your own using an empty toilet paper roll and string. Insects are attracted to the smell of the bait in the trap, so they crawl, get stuck on the sticky side, and die. You will need to change your bait every few days to ensure that it does not develop resistance to your traps.
use cinnamon oil
Cinnamon oil is a natural pesticide that naturally repels ants, flies, wasps, and other insects. Pour some cinnamon oil into a spray bottle of water and spray! This works best when pests don't see you coming because they don't know where to go.
Create a homemade insecticide
If you like to make things from scratch, this recipe is for you! Mix 3 tablespoons of sugar with 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract in a small bowl. Once this mixture is fully dissolved in warm water, spray it on your plants and watch those pesky bugs leave your garden for good.
Use a garlic spray
Garlic is a natural repellent for many pests such as aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and beetles. How to make a garlic spray:
- Crush two garlic cloves and add them to 1 cup of water.
- Let the mixture sit for 24 hours and then strain into a spray bottle.
- Spray this mixture on your plants every few days to keep insects away.
planting marigolds
Marigolds are a great way to deter pests, as they give off a strong odor that insects don't like. They also act as companion plants for tomatoes and other vegetables because they help keep tomato plant worms away. You can plant them in your garden or buy marigold seeds and plant them in the border of your garden.
The best natural pesticides
Vinegar:As a natural pesticide, vinegar is a great way to get rid of bugs in your garden. It is also safe around children and pets, which makes it attractive to many. Simply soak sweet potatoes in white vinegar overnight and you'll have a bug-free vegetable by morning.
Name:If you're having problems with cucumber beetles on your tomatoes, try soaking the plants in liquid honey mixed with 1 part honey to 10 parts water and leave it overnight before washing it off the next day. The bees will do the rest!
Pepper mill:If the bugs are too much for you, you can smother them with chili sauce! Mix 2 tablespoons of this main spice with 2 tablespoons of water and apply to both sides of the leaves of each plant; Leave overnight or until completely gone as needed.
Spray:When pests like aphids infest your garden, liberally sprinkle baking soda on the leaves and stems where they hide from predators like birds and ladybugs like this one to keep them off your plants and kill them slowly.
onions:Onions are a great deterrent to pests like aphids, ants, and beetles. When you grow your vegetables, plant them all over your garden! Onions can also be purchased at your local grocery store if you don't want to grow them yourself. Not only do they repel insects, but they are also one of the most versatile vegetables around! You can cut an onion in half and rub it on any surface that may be infested with ants or other insects. The onion helps attract insects hidden under furniture or appliances. Another use is to place 3-5 onion slices in a glass with a little water overnight near areas where insects gather; Ants and other insects don't like the strong smell of onions and will leave your room to find another one.Learn more about onions in our Garden Onion Joint Q&A post!
Plants that repel insects.
There are so many plants that repel insects, but not all of them are edible. Some plants are also poisonous. It is important to know which plants repel insects and which are not effective.
asparagus
Asparagus is a great way to keep vegetable aphids away, as it releases a chemical that repels these tiny insects even when they aren't visible. To plant asparagus, simply plant the root ball about 3 inches deep in well-draining soil and cover with 1 inch of loose soil. When the sprouts grow out of the ground, pick them up and use them in dishes or cook them for their nutritional benefits. You can also harvest the roots - be sure to allow 5-6 shoots to mature so you'll have plenty of healthy stems next year!
demand
Mint is another great natural repellent when it comes to keeping bugs out of your garden. It is a strong-smelling plant, so insects tend to run free. Plant mint near doors and windows to keep unwanted pests out of your home. You can also make peppermint tea and use it as a spray to keep bugs away while gardening.
Lavender
Lavender is a beautiful and effective herb that repels unwanted pests. Plant lavender around the edges of your garden to keep ants, aphids, and other insects away from your plants. The scent of lavender will also help keep mosquitoes at bay while you enjoy a summer barbecue!
Need ideas on how to incorporate lavender into your garden? Check out our lavender garden ideas!
Repentance
Rue is a great way to keep bugs out of your garden without spraying them with pesticides! This pungent plant is strong enough to keep rabbits out of gardens too. You can use rue to deter other pests from entering the area. If necessary, simply place some rue next to the plants. However, over time it can become toxic, so it is best to plant it in one area so there is no risk of poisoning other areas.
malmequeres
Marigolds are the most widely used insect repellent flower, as they have a strong odor that most pests will avoid. Plant them around your yard to repel insects, or place seedlings near cracks and crevices where you think ants might enter. The roots of marigold plants can be quite deep, which means they grow well in almost any type of soil.Read our post on marigolds to learn how this versatile flower can help your garden.
To prevent insects from eating your vegetables, it's important to make sure you plant the right vegetables in the right place. For example, if you have a garden that is more exposed to pests and insects, try some of these plants to protect yourself! Plants like marigolds can help repel many different types of pests, including Japanese beetles. Also, consider using pesticides or companion plants, which will help prevent pesky critters from feasting on your precious produce.