Control Pests Naturally
Pest control can be as simple as adding marigolds to your food forest.
One of the questions that people often ask me on Instagram and TikTok relates to organic pest control and staying away from poisonous chemicals that are found in commercial pesticides. My recommendation: companion planting.
This chemical free secret works very simply to help you control annoying pests. Plants team up to protect each other from unwelcome visitors, so in this blog post I am going to share how you can create helpful systems in your garden and say goodbye to troublesome bugs, all while keeping your garden low maintenance and healthy.
Imagine that your garden is a small town where plants look out for one another and keep intruders away. Take the classic trio known at the “Three Sisters” – corn, beans, and squash. These three complementary plants help each other. Corn stands tall, providing a sturdy support for beans to climb. Meanwhile, squash sprawls out, shading the soil like a blanket and keeping weeds away. Together, they create a pest-resistant ecosystem where each plant can thrive.
Specific Plants to include in your food forest
Plant a fragrant herb corner with rosemary, sage, and basil. Not only do they add a lovely aroma to your garden, but they also send pests like aphids and mosquitoes away with their natural scents. It’s a natural pest repellent planted right in your garden.
Marigolds are flowers that you will also want to add. These vibrant, edible flowers brighten up any garden and can be used for self-care. (More on that in another blog post coming soon). These beauties not only bring a pop of color to the space but also release compounds that pests find repulsive. Nematodes, whiteflies, you name it – they'll steer clear of marigolds, so you want to make sure to include them close by your food crops.
The allium family – the onion, garlic, and chive crew - may make you tear up in the kitchen, but in the garden, they're heroes. Their strong smell keeps pests like aphids and carrot flies at bay, ensuring your veggies stay safe and sound. It’s similar to when someone eats onions, you smell it on their breath. Bugs smell them in the soil!
And here's a fun fact: planting dill, fennel, and cilantro can attract the ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps – the ultimate pest-fighting squad. They'll swoop in and take care of pesky tomato hornworms and cabbage worms faster than you can say "pest control."
But companion planting isn't just about pest control – it's about creating a happy, harmonious garden ecosystem. Think of legumes like peas and beans as the soil's best friends. They work their magic by pulling nitrogen from the air and sharing it with their neighboring plants, keeping everyone well-fed and thriving.
Deep-rooted superheroes like comfrey dive deep into the soil, bringing up nutrients and making them available to other crops. It's like having your own personal nutritionist for your plants!
So, as you are planting your spring garden, think of how you can create a complementary system where each plant plays a part in keeping it healthy. Get a diverse group of seeds, and watch as plants team up to create a food forest that's happy, healthy, and pest-free. With companion planting, you'll discover that nature truly is the best gardener – and the best friend your garden could ask for.
Happy Gardening!
