Spring planning, Tips on dealing with garden pests

 

Spring has sprung! Ok, sorry for the cheese but I really love this time of year! I love the greening of the trees, the buzzing of the bees and the energy that comes from a long dark winter being shaken off. With all these wonderful things come some less desirable guests. I am talking about Mosquitos. Little buggers can really put a damper on outdoor fun or disrupt a relaxing evening in your garden or balcony.

Here I am going to give some tips and suggestions on how to fight against mosquitoes wanting to come and hang out and taste test you and yours. There will be no spray recipes here or other poultices, I am going to give some tips on plants to have in your gardens that discourage parasitic bugs from wanting to come to the area.

Let’s start with a herb garden. There are a few plants that will be great in your herb garden that will also help with repelling the pests.

1. Basil.  This herb is a regualr in most western cooking as well having an amazing smell. It is also fairly pet safe.

2. Catnip. This is a great plant to have around if you have cats and is also naturally calming and a remedy for indigestion and cramping and bloating when made into tea.

3. Lavender. Native to northern African climates, so keep that in mind when growing this in your herb garden for placement for sun and heat and water. This plant is also known for helping in the treatments of anxiety, fungal infections and wound cleaning.

4. Lemon balm. Similar in habitat as Lavender, this plant looks nice and smells pleasant, but also has a boosted effect in helping with Stress relief and anxiety as well as easing insomnia some- Careful though as it can trigger allergies and headaches.

5. Peppermint. This is a hybrid plant and fits well into any Poison Ivy themed herb garden, this plant is durable and hardy and will insist on growing, making it a great plant for even the blackest of green thumb enthusiasts. 

6. Rosemary. This bush is gorgeous, hardy and smells amazing. It needs constant care but the pay off is well worth it because it can be added to most savoury meals to really set off the taste buds.

Moving to the decorative plants, there are a few options here, some pet-friendly, others not so much. The idea here will be to create rows alternating these plants into your garden or your balcony garden set up.

1.  Marigolds
   Marigolds, an easy-to-grow annual flower, emit a smell that deters mosquitoes. Grow them in pots and place them near your patio or entrance to your home to keep bugs out. Marigolds are also a popular addition to borders and vegetable gardens. Marigolds are good at keeping other pests away, like aphids, hornworms and whiteflies and Mexican Been Beetles, and squash bugs.

2. Citronella Grass
   Known for its distinct smell, citronella grass commonly known as lemon grass, is the most commonly used natural ingredient in mosquito repellants. And the good news is that the living plant is the most effective at repelling pests. This low-maintenance plant does best in large planters because it cannot withstand frost, but in warmer climates, can be planted directly a sunny area in the ground. This is not pet friendly, so do not let them eat it.

3. Scented Geraniums
   Scented geraniums seem to be a popular mosquito repelling plant. Hints of lemon, which is reminiscent of citronella grass. The strong fragrance keeps several types of pests away. These fast-growing plants like warm, sunny, and dry climates, but if you are in a cold-climate area, they can be grown in planters with constant pruning. These are toxic to cats and dog, keep this in mind when you plant them and where you place them. Training can help prevent your pet buddies from being interested in the plants

4. Floss Flower
   This attractive annual flower makes great bedding or container plants. Floss flower contains coumarin, a chemical that helps repel mosquitoes—but, also makes it toxic if ingested by pets or humans. The upside is that this plant can be potted and hung easy enough to keep out of reach

5. Allium
   These bulbs, which include garlic and onions, release a strong fragrance that mosquitoes don’t like. You’ll enjoy the whimsical globe-shaped flowers of Allium that seem to float atop long slender, stems. Because of their relation to onions and garlic, they are toxic to cats and dogs, to keep that in mind when planting them.

There you have it, some plants that can help with controlling the spring and summer pests as well as beautiful and in some cases savoury additions to your home and garden

I hope this helps some and good gardening!

Darrell