As spring arrives, your cold winter garden may start transforming into a vibrant oasis of colour and life, but while plants may begin to flourish, you may also see a return of plant-eating pests. Luckily, gardening expert Liam Cleary of Old Railway Line Garden Centre has the perfect solution, and it’s one that won’t have you reaching for any pesticides.
He said: “Pests are an unavoidable part of gardening, but there are plenty of ways to protect your plants, and your hard work, without relying on chemical deterrents. Planting fragrant herbs like lavender and basil can help keep bugs away from your garden.”
He added: “Their strong aroma overwhelms pests’ sense of smell, discouraging them from sticking around in search of food.
“Not only does this protect your plants, but it also safeguards the environment by reducing the pollution caused by insecticide use.”
Five plants to deter plant-eating pests:
Lavender
While we might find the smell of lavender rather relaxing, mosquitoes, flies, and other insects find it overwhelming.
Lavender is particularly easy to grow in your garden; just plant it in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Since lavender thrives in dry conditions, be sure not to overwater it and fertilise sparingly.
Basil
Particularly effective at repelling mosquitoes, basil contains four volatile compounds that disrupt the pest’s ability to detect targets, driving them away from recovery.
Advising how to plant basil in your garden, Liam said: “Plant basil in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Since basil thrives in warmer temperatures, consider starting it indoors and then transferring it to the garden in early summer.
Rosemary
Rosemary releases a strong, woody scent from its essential oils, which many insects find unpleasant, causing them to avoid it.
To grow some in your garden, place in a sunny spot. Rosemary thrives in the sunlight and does not like wet roots, so be sure to water only sparingly and prune to maintain its shape.
Mint
Liam said: “Whilst we enjoy the many benefits of mint, insects find its strong menthol scent extremely unpleasant, which discourages them from landing on any nearby plants.”
Mint is also a rather low-effort plant, just be sure to water well before and after planting as it prefers moist soil.
Catnip
Catnip contains a chemical called nepetalactone, which triggers a pain receptor in many insects and causes a stinging sensation when they come into contact with the plant.
To plant it in your garden, choose a sunny spot with moist, well-draining soil. After the initial, occasionally pinch back the stems to encourage further growth.
