Organic, natural gardening is one of the best ways you can "go green" and save some green at the same time. Toxic chemicals used to kill insects have been proven to harm soil, rivers and the food we eat. There are safe and natural ways to control insects while enjoying your yard and produce from your garden. One of the easiest ways to repel insects is to add a few more plants to the garden. Does this Spark an idea?
Marigolds
Many gardeners alternate marigold and tomato plants or plant a border of marigolds around the garden bed. Marigolds with strong scents repel aphids and nematodes on tomato plants, cucumbers and squash vines. They are also known to repel mosquitoes.
Citronella Grass or Plants
Citronella lemon grass emits a strong scented oil that repels biting insects. The plant's oil is used in many insect repellent products, including candles. The bush emits a scent that repels mosquitoes and gnats.
Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal is actually a mint plant that produces an aromatic oil. It was known in ancient Rome for its usefulness in warding off fleas. You can rub the leaves directly on your skin to repel mosquitoes, ants, gnats, ticks and other biting pests.
Catnip
Catnip helps repel insects, including Japanese beetles and aphids. Plant it near the cabbages and squash plants to protect them. It can be used as a border plant and is also said to repel small rodents.
Geraniums
Geraniums help repel insects like Japanese beetles and leafhoppers. They can also be grown near roses to protect them from a pest known as the rose chafer.
Rosemary
Rosemary is considered a "companion plant" to be grown near beans, carrots and cabbage. The scent can repel slugs, moths and beetles that harm these vegetables.
Garlic
Potatoes and garlic complement each other in the garden and on your table. Garlic---as well as onions and chives---produces a strong enough scent to repel pests like potato borers as well as aphids and mites.
Tags: grown near, Japanese beetles, protect them, repel insects, repel mosquitoes, scent repel, that repels