Repel pests from your kitchen garden

So I have changed tactics a bit.

First step, know the enemy. Before I put down the crop, I try to observe the area to see what ‘pests’ live there.

I usually start with three or four seedlings to see how they fare before I jump in and plant a whole crop.

Mind you, I am speaking from the perspective of the home gardener, with limited space, and time to devote to the kitchen garden that I am trying to make flourish.

Secondly, I am learning that it is okay to mix my garden. There is no rule that vegetables must be on one side and flowers on another. In fact, if you put petunias near vegetable and herb plants such as tomatoes, peppers and beans, they help ward off some of the bugs that love to feast on the vegetables.

Nasturtiums also are quite good at protecting other plants. They release an airborne chemical that repels many of the insects that feed on tomatoes, cucumbers and cabbage.

So that I now have two colourful options to plant along the edge of a vegetable garden to create a beautiful, bug repelling border or even in between. It all depends on the space and design that you may wish to create.

In addition to the vegetables I am also looking at what herbs I can plant that will do a double duty. I am a firm believer that ninety per cent of what I grow must be edible! If I cannot eat, I am not interested in growing it! No longer do I throw out the stalks of the chives that I buy in the market. These ends of chive planted in between other vegetable plants help to deter pesky pests, in addition to reducing my monthly seasoning bill! Even when cleaning the fridge and I discover a forgotten bag of garlic cloves, instead of tossing them in the bin, I aim for the vegetable garden.

Even in that state, the garlic will go a long way to deterring hungry bugs.

On another related note, if you are struggling with the mosquito invasion or too many flies while you work in the garden, you may want to try planting a few of these herbs in the space as well as in your kitchen.

With minimal fuss and expense you can find a counter or table which gets a good amount of light to put a small planter with some herbs of your choice such as basil, mint or thyme. These herbs repel mosquitoes and flies, so not only are they a good addition to a pot of soup or a salad, they help create a kitchen free of unwanted insects.

Perhaps if you have space near the kitchen or just outside the dining room, you may want to consider planting some lemon grass or mint. Lemongrass naturally contains citronella and is yet another herb that performs a double duty; it adds flavour to a chicken or pork dish while helping to deter mosquitoes, naturally. The same can be said of a mint plant.

Mint, though a tad bit aggressive in that it can easily overtake a small space, helps to keep nearby plants insect free. Let’s not forget about rosemary. Rosemary is quite useful in repelling mosquitoes and keeping pests away from vegetable plants.

So the option abound and the great thing about the herbs and plants mentioned above, they are easy to grow.

For further information contact the Eastern Horticultural Club at 357-5033, 764-9125 or 720-2698 or easternhorticultural@hotmail.

com the club meets on the first Saturday of every month (except public holidays) at 3 pm at Moreton Hall, Aramalaya Presbyterian Church, Cochrane Street, Tunapuna.