Whether you plant flowers or vegetables, gardens are a great addition to your yard. Unfortunately, some pests invade gardens and feed on plants. When this happens, they can cause serious damage to plants. Taking the time to implement preventative measures can help keep your plants safe. We’ve made a list of tips to help you keep pests out of your garden.
Keep Plants Healthy
One of the best ways to avoid a pest infestation is to ensure your plants are healthy. If they are in good condition, they’ll be less susceptible to pests and the damage they cause. Make sure you place plants in areas where they can receive the correct amount of sunlight. Give them plenty of water, and plant them in healthy soil.
Remove Damaged Plants
If you notice areas on plants that don’t look healthy, you’ll want to prune the plant. You’ll also want to remove any plants that have significant damage from your garden. These plants are more susceptible to pests. Removing them will reduce the likelihood of bugs spreading to other plants.
Remove Weeds
Having weeds in or near your garden can cause pests to show up. It’s best to remove these weeds before they take over your garden. Not only do they attract pests, they can also hinder the health of your plants. The plants in your garden will have to compete against weeds for the nutrients found in soil.
Mix Plants
Many garden pests have preferred host plants. To make it harder for pests to find their host plant, you can mix things up. Instead of planting the same plants next to each other, mix in a variety of plants. The more difficult it is for a pest to find its preferred food source, the less likely it is they will stick around.
Check for Pests
If you can catch a pest infestation early, you can reduce the damage they cause. Keep your eyes open for pests and signs they have invaded. If you notice discolored and deformed leaves or even chew marks or holes, there’s a good chance pests are hiding on your plants.
Plant Bug-Repelling Plants
Choosing the right plants can help to keep pests away. Some plants have fragrances that naturally repel pests. Adding a few of these plants to your garden can help to deter pests from sticking around. Marigolds, petunias, nasturtiums, basil, lemongrass, and thyme are a few of the plants that bugs don’t like.
Cover Your Plants
Adding a physical barrier, like row covers, can make it harder for pests to find your plants. These row covers sit on top of your plants, but they are made with a thin material that allows water, air, and light through. A lightweight cover is best for garden pests. When your plants are blooming, you’ll need to leave plants uncovered to allow for proper pollination.
Spray Them Away
If pests have started nibbling on your plants, you’ll want a quick and effective solution to prevent plant damage. Using a plant-based insecticide spray can help eliminate a pest infestation. Our 3-in-1 Garden Spray kills common garden pests on contact. It also has repellent properties, which means it will help keep pests from returning to your garden.
Preventing garden pests is always easier than dealing with an infestation. Pest-proofing your garden can help keep plants safe from hungry pests. If bugs are giving you a fit, we’re here to help! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution.
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