A flourishing garden is a sight for sore eyes.
But, there is such a thing as a garden that’s too lively, especially with all the wrong creatures—pests.
Unfortunately, with a well-cared-for garden often comes a flurry of bugs and pests on a mission to make it a home. And regardless of your efforts, it’s challenging to keep away the pests while simultaneously attracting the beneficial insects.
No matter how much you want to, you can’t go around spraying pesticides and insecticides whenever you see a bug because that’s the best recipe for a dead garden.
So, what can you do?
Well, for starters, you can read this post and learn 5 easy ways to keep bugs out of your garden without disrupting the hub that keeps your space alive.
Our points below include 5 tips for keeping your garden pest-free, but this is by no means an exhaustive list; there are many, many more actions you can take.
Still, these methods are great starting points when you want to pick up garden maintenance. So, to keep bugs out of your garden, you should:
Use organic bug sprays
The easiest way to keep bugs out of your garden is to use bug sprays. But, more often than not, you’ll kill the beneficial insects too, which won’t fare well for your garden.
So, instead of spraying all kinds of chemicals on your plants, use a ready-made organic bug spray that doesn’t damage plants but gives off enough strong smells to keep bugs away. Or, make your own homemade bug spray by using a blend of essential oils.
If you do this, perform a patch test before dousing your plants. Spray a little onto a few leaves and wait 24 hours to observe whether any damage occurs.
Incorporate artificial plants
If you’re open to artificially supplementing your garden, consider using faux plants to keep bugs away.
Since artificial plants don’t attract bugs, you’ll significantly decrease your garden’s likelihood of becoming overwhelmed with insects. Make it a point to choose high-quality artificial plants, like faux hanging plants, to ensure nobody can tell your greenery apart from the real thing.
Interspersing a few artificial plants around will make your garden seem bigger, fuller, and richer without the influx of bugs that usually accompany that.
Plant marigolds
If you ask a few bugs about marigolds (if you somehow know how to do that), you won’t com across enthusiasm.
It’s commonly believed that a marigold’s pungent smell repels bad insects and pests and lures them away. While such claims are unsubstantiated to an extent, many gardeners swear by a marigold’s capabilities, so it doesn’t hurt to plant a few in your garden and see for yourself.
Currently, there is scientific evidence that proves that marigolds can be a useful tool for controlling nematodes—tiny worms. So, if you can get a pretty plant that offers you another arrow for your quiver in the bug war, why wouldn’t you use it?
Use physical barriers
If you need a more foolproof solution, you can always cordon off your most vulnerable plants to protect them from pests. A physical barrier like a cover or fine mesh netting block may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option, but it will properly secure your garden.
Such covers block insects from getting in but still allow air, light, and water to filter through and reinforce the plant.
Or, you can use cloches made from plastic bottles or glass domes to shield individual plants from bugs while still maintaining warmth. These are all simple methods to create a strong defense against bugs, at least until your plants muster up more strength and become more resilient.
Bring vulnerable plants indoors
If all esle fails, bring your most vulnerable plants inside. That way, you’ll protect them from pests, harsh weather, and additional environmenal stressors.
Outside, even with all the protections you put up, your plans are constantly exposed to pests. Inside, they won’t come in contact with insects like aphids and caterpillars that can damage delicate leaves. This method is especially useful for young plants that are more susceptible to damage.
Without exposure to garden pests, plants can grow healthier without chemical treatments. When they’re strong enough, you can bring them outside. Or, you can create a corner inside your home and keep them there as long as you want.
Conclusion
Creating and maintaining a flourishing garden shouldn’t involve a potent cocktail of harsh chemicals.
Simple methods like covers, organic sprays, artificial plants and the like, can help you effectively keep bugs at bay with no damage done to your garden.
As a result, you’ll have a healthier, more vibrant growing space that’s safe for beneficial insects, household pets, and people. Over time, this balanced ecosystem will allow your plants to grow without stress.
With a Master in Architectural Studies from University of Pennysylvania, Marwa Haydar has pioneered living spaces since 2005. Her expertise, initially honed in a prestigious architectural firm, is evident in her approach to creating environments. Marwa became part of our team in 2019 and has since been a driving force in our home improvement section, known for her practical yet stylish solutions. She’s been spearheading our design workshops since then, infusing her passion for teaching into her work. In her leisure time, Marwa enjoys exploring historic architecture and is an enthusiastic pottery hobbyist, further enriching her understanding of form and texture.
