How to Keep Pests Out of Your Garden
Avid gardeners know the extreme damages pests can cause. Slugs, aphids and a variety of other insect species could easily destroy an entire garden.
Don’t let pests overtake your garden! Below, we share plenty of natural garden pest control tips, as garden pest removal doesn’t have to involve harmful chemicals:
Entice birds and frogs: A great way of keeping pests away from your garden is by attracting their natural enemies. Setting up a bird feeder in your garden is sure to attract plenty of birds, who will, in turn, feed on garden pests. It’s true birds may sometimes pick at your vegetables and fruits, but they do such a good job of keeping pests away, sacrificing a tomato or two might be worth it. You may also want to bring frogs and toads into your garden. Simply place a bowl of water in your garden to entice these amphibians. Soon enough, they’ll start eating all the pests destroying your garden.
Properly schedule your harvest: Waiting too long to harvest your fruits and vegetables may allow them to rot and fall from their plants. Fruits and vegetables on the ground offer an easy meal for pests. That’s why it’s important to quickly remove any fruits or vegetables you notice on the ground. The perfect time to harvest depends on the fruits and vegetables you have growing in your garden. With tomatoes, for example, it’s best to harvest when they are fully colored and soft.
Attract spiders: Spiders will get rid of pests, and unlike birds, they won’t pick at your crops. That said, there are several plants that attract spiders because they provide good shelter, including petunias, polygoniums and sweet alyssum. Some spiders are also attracted to taller plants, as they provide the perfect place to build their webs. These plants include bell peppers and blackberries.
Water at the right time: Watering gardens in the morning is beneficial for many reasons. For one, watering in the morning will help your garden stay hydrated through the warmest part of the day. Not only that, but your plants will likely dry before evening rolls around, making them less appealing to nocturnal pests like slugs.
Leave some room between your plants: It’s important to give your plants some space to breathe. This will allow air to properly circulate throughout your garden and help keep away insects looking for shelter. Plants too close together entice insects looking for somewhere dark to hide. A landscaping expert can offer you great advice on how to place your plants.
Attract ladybugs: One of the best ways to get rid of aphids is by attracting their natural predators: ladybugs. Not only are ladybugs cute, little creatures to have around, but they will keep aphids from destroying your plants. Easily attract ladybugs to your garden by including plants like sunflowers, yarrow, fennel and goldenrod.
Pests are annoying but not impossible to get rid of. Follow the natural garden pest control tips mentioned above to help ensure a great harvest.
If you’re looking to start your own beautiful garden or get more garden pest removal tips, contact the landscaping experts at RainforestLA, Inc.