The Top 4 Ways To Keep Pests Away From Your Garden

Any keen gardeners will know that there’s nothing worse than all of your hard growing work being ruined by unwanted, plant-munching pests. Dealing with these unwanted intruders from time to time isn’t the biggest issue in the world, but if pest numbers rise to an unacceptable level, then they can soon become a problem.

Spring and summer time in the UK sees the increase in insects- both helpful and unhelpful- and it pays to be prepared. Many of us would like a way to tend to our gardens without the use of chemical pesticides, and luckily, there are plenty of natural, eco-friendly ways you can keep those pesky pests away. Here are the top 4 ways to keep pests away from your garden:

1. Prevention Is Key

Taking Pre-emptive Measures can ensure that when spring does roll around, you’re fully prepared for your next growing season. As winter draws to a close, give your greenhouse a good clear out and scrub, and give any pots and planters you wish to use a thorough wash out to prevent any recurring plant diseases. 

The soil that you’re starting out with should be healthy, clean and well-balanced. The weaker the soil is, the more vulnerable your plants are to becoming overrun by pests. 

1. Use A Physical Barrier

Pest-susceptible plants can really benefit from being covered by some insect netting, which will prevent pests like the cabbage root fly, thrips and aphids from being able to access your plants. 

Little Fields Farm offer a great selection of garden netting which is available in a range of mesh sizes depending on the insect and crop you are protecting against. It’s lightweight, simple to install and will not have a detrimental effect on the crop, so it’s a much better option than using a chemical pesticide. 

1. Attract Beneficial Insects

We all know how beneficial it is to have pollinators in our gardens- but they’re not the only useful insects! Ladybugs, damsel bugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps and minute pirate bugs are all predators of the insect world who are great for keeping pests at bay.

You can attract them to your garden by providing their prey (should be easy enough) and carbohydrate-rich nectar. It’s all about creating a good balance between the beneficial and the non-beneficial insects in your garden.

1. Choose Your Plants Wisely, And Increase The Diversity Of Your Vegetable Patch

Some plants are more susceptible to pests- but that doesn’t mean that you have to stay away from them completely. If you’re having issues with one type of potato, for example, then why not try switching to another type? 

Intercropping can make it more difficult for pests to find their host plants, so it’s a good idea to inter-plant different vegetables alongside flowering herbs and annuals. 

Although it can be satisfying to plant everything in a row or a block, if you’re serious about keeping predators away, then get mixing! This technique appears to confuse the insect, who will quickly give up and learn to stay away from your crops.