How to Keep Pests Out Of Your Garden

A beautiful garden can take months to groom to perfection and seemingly days to destroy. In 2018 alone, Americans spent almost $50 million on gardens and lawns.

During the pandemic, more people started to pick up gardening as a great social distancing activity. Many newcomers - and those who have been gardening for years - have dealt with one of the biggest questions.

How do you prevent pests? Specifically, those bad pests that wreck your garden and all your hard work.

Keep reading on to learn more about how to keep pests out.

Natural Bug Repellant

Did you know that you can use the environment around you to help prevent pests from invading your garden? Here are a few helpful suggestions to improve your yard care.

Remember the old technique of crop rotations? Well - turns out it works. If you notice pests keep coming back to the same plant, it is likely they either are staying in that region or just know where to look.

Try swapping out your crops each year and keep note of where you find the most success.

If you have arachnophobia then you might want to skip this next suggestion. Spiders are actually great for gardens. They can trap pests and keep your garden looking beautiful.

However, they do need certain environments to thrive in. If you want to invite those creepy crawling creatures into your garden, then check out mulch, petunias, or St. John's Wort. You can also look at blackberries and bell pepper plants if you are trying to entice orb spiders.

Ladybugs are a bit less creepy than spiders and are also extremely helpful for gardens. In fact, they can eat anything from mites to mealy bugs. One ladybug can consume thousands of these pesky pests.

However, just like spiders, you need specific plants to cater to ladybugs. These include sunflowers, marigolds, and fennel, to name a few.

Finally, don't forget the herbs. Try planting cilantro or parsley to help keep those buggers out. They form a natural barrier to harmful pests.

Plant With a Purpose

The first steps to preventing pests are to plan out how you are going to plant your fruits or vegetables. Some beginner gardening tips are to plant somewhere close to your house with a good amount of sunlight and water.

You also want to look for somewhere flat so you don't erode the soil. Next, you should prepare the soil prior to planting. This will help your plants grow healthier and assist in weeding out any pests.

You can check out natural fertilizers to prep the soil. As mentioned earlier, be sure that you research the plants you are placing in your garden. If you want to prevent future pests, then plan out your crops ahead of time.

For example, consider planting Zinnias for attracting pollinators and improving the growth of your melons and beans. You can also include a few sunflowers if you want even more pollinators drawn to your garden.

When you plant rosemary or mint, you will attract beetles that can ward off harmful pests. There are dozens of other flowers, herbs, and vegetables that you can plant for specific insects that are beneficial to fighting off pests.

One technique that some gardeners use is using companion planting. This technique is sometimes difficult for beginners because it involves planting two different species of plants next to each other.

Sometimes, this can harm the plant if you don't choose the right one. However, if chosen correctly, they can assist in keeping pests out of your garden.

You don't want your plants too close to each other. Make sure when you are planting that you are giving them enough space. You can buy a natural bug repellant after you have planted your garden to lightly spray on the tops of your plants.

The Right Tools

To have a wonderful garden, you need the right tools. Shopping around for the necessary garden supplies will aid you in proper lawn care. 

The first thing you need is a trowel. Essentially, this is a handheld shovel that is used for digging up the soil before you plant the seeds. You will be using your trowel a lot, so make sure you invest in one that has a sturdy handle that feels comfortable to you.

A nice hose is a must. Not only is this useful for your lawn care in general, but it is necessary for keeping your garden at its best. An insect repellant spray and nozzle will help prevent those pests from coming into your garden in the first place.

You can look at these attachments and figure out which one will work best with your garden dimensions.

Since you will be using your hands a lot when you garden, it helps to invest in a nice pair of gardening gloves. When you are shoveling, weeding, or planting - a reliable pair of gloves can prevent blisters and cuts.

Lastly, look for an angled shovel to make tilling and prepping your garden easier. If you are wanting to use a crop rotation strategy, then you will need a shovel to relocate your plants. It also makes life a lot easier if you are thinking of planting larger gardens.

Prevent Pests in Your Garden

To prevent pests in your garden, you need to prep the area, have proper gardening tools, and purchase the right plants.

If you notice pests invading your garden, you need a yard care supply store to handle all your garden troubles. Check us out for all your bug repellant needs and keep that garden looking its best.