Pests are notorious for bugging you, but they can also be a problem for your garden. Finding bugs nibbling on your plants is a worrisome sight. Thankfully, there are preventative measures you can take to keep your plants safe. We’ve made a list of tips to help keep bugs out of your vegetable garden.
Keep Your Plants Healthy
Keeping your plants healthy is always the goal when gardening, and it can help to keep pests away too. Healthy plants are less susceptible to pests and diseases. It’s important that plants receive enough water and sunlight. When planning your garden, make sure plants are placed in areas where they will thrive. You’ll also want to allow space in between your plants to support good air circulation. Using clean soil can also affect the health of your plants.
Mix Up Your Plants
Variety in your garden can make your plants less appealing to hungry bugs. It confuses pests and makes it harder for them to find their preferred host. Certain plants are better suited to be grown together. You can research which plants do well next to each other and then plant accordingly. This is known as companion planting. You’ll also want to move plants around each year so pests can’t easily find them.
Choose the Right Plants
Some plants are less likely to be targeted by pests. When planning your garden, you’ll want to choose pest-resistant plants or seeds. Garlic and radishes are two examples of plants that are less susceptible to pests. You can also add plants that are known to repel bugs. Herbs, like mint, basil, and thyme, can be planted near your vegetables to help to deter garden pests. It’s also a good idea to choose native plants since these are better suited for your area and more likely to stay healthy.
Encourage Beneficial Insects
The presence of beneficial insects can allow your garden to thrive. While pollinators are great to have around, there are other helpful bugs you’ll want to attract as well. Predators, like ladybugs, praying mantises, and lacewings, are known to eat harmful plant pests. You can encourage their arrival by providing them with water and shelter. Add plants that are known to attract these bugs including dill, yarrow, and sweet alyssum.
Keep Your Garden Clean
A well-maintained garden can help keep bugs away. Decaying plant matter can attract pests to your garden, so it’s important to remove it. Pick up fallen leaves and pull any weeds that pop up in your garden. Regularly pruning your plants can minimize debris as well. Pests like to have places to hide, and tall grass can supply them with shelter. Mow your lawn, making sure that grass surrounding the garden is trimmed.
Use a Plant-Based Insecticide Spray
Sometimes your plants need extra protection, and plant-based insecticides can help. Our 3-in-1 Garden Spray is great for organic gardening. It offers a triple defense against insects, mites, and fungal diseases. It kills garden pests on contact and provides residual repellency protection, helping to prevent bugs from showing up. It can be used on vegetables, herbs, flowers, and other plants up to the day of harvest.
Bugs love to snack on plants, so it can take some work to keep them away. Implementing a few preventative measures can help to prevent pests in your vegetable garden. If you’re dealing with hungry bugs, we have your back! Check out our Maggie’s Farm garden products to help keep your garden free of pests.