Some pests have a habit of snacking on your plants. Their feeding can be harmful to plants causing discoloration, holes, and stunted plant growth. Thankfully, there are things you can do to protect your plants. We’ve made a list of five tips to help you effectively keep pests out of your garden.
1. Set Your Plants Up for Success
Pests are more likely to attack unhealthy plants. When planning your garden, it’s important to recognize that plants have different needs. Choose plants that will thrive in your climate. Place plants in areas where they will receive the right amount of sunlight. Make sure the soil is healthy, nutrient rich, and drains well. Know how much water your plants need, and ensure you don’t overwater or underwater them. Keeping your plants healthy will set them up for success.
2. Have a Variety of Plants
Mixing up your plants can help protect them from pests. Having a variety of plants and changing up their location can make it harder for pests to find their preferred host. Don’t place plants in the same spot every year. Include different types of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. You also can try companion planting. Growing certain plants next to each other can help the plants grow better. Research the plants you want to have in your garden and see which ones will be beneficial to each other.
3. Attract Beneficial Insects
Not all bugs are harmful to your plants. Beneficial insects can help with pollination and protect your plants from hungry pests. Ladybugs and lacewings consume several harmful garden pests. You can attract these helpful bugs to your garden by including plants they enjoy. Dill, fennel, and yarrow are known to attract beneficial insects. You can also try adding plants, like marigolds, that will attract beneficial insects and repel pests.
4. Use Physical Barriers
Placing a physical barrier between your plants and bugs is another option. Row covers can help protect your plants from pests. These covers sit on top of your plants and help keep bugs out. Your plants can still receive the sunlight and water they need. Row covers can also help to protect your plants from the wind. If you’re feeling crafty, you can create your own row cover. You can also purchase row covers.
5. Use a 3-in-1 Garden Spray
Spraying your plants with a plant-based insecticide can help keep pests away. Our 3-in-1 Garden Spray contains plant oils, which makes it a more environmentally and family-friendly solution. It can help prevent and control insects, mites, and fungal diseases that like to attack your plants. It kills pests on contact and provides residual repellency. The residual properties act as a barrier helping to keep your garden free of pests.
You don’t have to let hungry bugs snack on your plants. Take the time to keep your plants healthy and to protect them from garden pests. If you’re dealing with a pest problem, we’re here to help! For a more environmentally and family-friendly solution, check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.