As a general rule, insects don’t tend to bother aromatic herbs the way they pester other plants, flowers and vegetables, so using herbs to repel the bugs that are attracted to the rest of your garden is a good way to keep them at bay. Figuring out what plants you want in your garden, and then finding the herb that will discourage the bugs that eat that plant and including it in your garden as well is called “companion planting”. Plus, planting herbs in your vegetable garden will not only help control the bugs you don’t want, it will give you something to cook your vegetables with as well!
- To Repel Bugs: Mint will discourage aphids and flea beetles, no matter what variety you buy. Garlic will help with Japanese beetles and aphids, a garden’s worst enemy. Calendula deters many insects both above and below ground. Basil deters flies and mosquitoes, borage takes care of tomato hornworms and cabbage worms, and lavender, chives, basil, yarrow, and onions all have strong scents that are good at protecting vegetables, as well as flowers.
- To Attract Bugs: Planting herbs that attract birds that eat unwanted bugs is another good idea. While borage does away with the tomato hornworms and cabbage worms, it will also attract beneficial bees as well as predatory wasps. Dill, fennel, yarrow, Queen Anne’s Lace, and golden marguerite will all attract ladybugs, which feed on aphids, the criminal element in any garden. Parsley, buckwheat, and sweet alyssum will attract parasitic wasps, which also feed on aphids.
This is only a start; there are many combinations to try, depending on what you want in your garden. An herb garden is not only a safe and natural way to deal with insects that damage gardens, it’s also makes a beautiful garden all by itself!
