A gardening expert has revealed his top tips for keeping pests out of your vegetable garden ahead of harvest time.
He said his organic pest control hacks can also repel critters that destroy decorative plants and flowers.
Mark Lane is a horticultural expert at stair lift and home lift company Stanna and a presenter on the BBC's Gardeners World.
Since the beginning of spring, pests such as beetles, slugs, snails, and caterpillars have been searching for plants to snack on.
He revealed that there are several ways to prevent them from eating in your garden without using harsh chemicals.
“The easiest approach is to garden organically, using companion and sacrificial plants, and take care of the soil so that your plants grow strong and resistant to pests and diseases. ,” Mark told the US Sun.
“Companion plants, such as potted marigolds, can attract pests by keeping them away from your precious plants.
“And sacrificial plants, such as lettuce, are planted nearby in the hope that the pests will go to them instead of other plants.”
Marigolds are usually bright yellow or orange and can be planted after the danger of frost has passed.
The plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and flowering can be extended by removing dead heads, according to Gardener's World.
Experts recommend saving seeds from flowers before the fall frosts in order to propagate new plants the following spring.
Marigolds are thought to attract butterflies and bees, as well as deter pests such as cabbage bugs, thrips, pumpkin bugs, and whiteflies.
Lettuce seeds, on the other hand, can grow in moist soil from March to September.
Slugs and snails can wreak havoc on crops if unprotected.
Mark said a hosta grower who won a gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show taught him how to make a DIY spray to prevent slugs and snails from turning his precious plants into “decorative doilies”.
“Add two liters of water to the pot. Add one liter of water for each bulb of garlic,” he said.
“Add two bulbs of garlic and bring to a boil.
Easy gardening tips to save money, maximize space and prevent pests
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- Banana peels, vinegar, and coffee grounds are often recommended as natural fertilizers.
- Dollar Tree sells 4 packs of seeds for $1.25.
- To get more out of a small space, try a vertical planter like the Mr. Stacky 5 Tier Stackable Planter ($35) from Amazon.
- To prevent insects from eating your vegetables, use netting like the Garden Netting Pest Barrier ($8) on Amazon.
- Try sacrificial planting to reduce pesticide use and keep pests out of your garden. Intentionally growing certain plants to attract agricultural pests can keep them away from the plants you want to protect. Examples include marigolds, lavender, catnip, and chives.
- For those pesky weeds in your garden, Amazon's Grampa's Weeder – The Original Stand-Up Weed Puller Tool with Long Handles ($45) is a great tool that you can use without having to bend over.
“Use the back of a fork to press the bulb against the side of the pot to release the juices.”
A gardening expert recommended waiting a few minutes for the water to become cloudy while removing any floating skins.
He told me to add 2 tablespoons of garlic concentrate to a 4.5 liter watering can.
“When the weather is cold and wet and slug activity is high, you can make the mix more intense,” he said.
“Water the plant, leaves, and stems. Repeat weekly.”
“If further damage occurs, repeat twice a week,” he added.