I love the idea of using natural gardening methods to deter pests. One, because I am too cheap to pay for expensive chemicals, and two, because I don’t want chemicals on my food anyway.
The thing that you have to remember with organic gardening is that it kind of takes a little more patience and tweaking than just obliterating the problem with a quick solution of chemicals.
One of the ways you can control the pest population in your garden is to use plants and flowers that naturally deter and/or attract the pests. While there are lots of potential plants you can use, Marigolds are kind of the gold standard. They both deter some pests from even entering your garden, and attract others {kind of like the Pied Piper of flowers, leading the pests away from your edible vegetables}.
If you want to use Marigolds in your garden as pest control, make sure you get a highly scented variety. The smell is what offends most pests. Also, it’s kind of important to integrate the flowers right into the garden beds, not just in pots on the front patio. In All New Square Foot Gardening, the author suggests integrating Marigolds right into one of the square foots of the garden. That way, they are on the front line. **Remember, though, that Marigolds are a much less intensive way to control pests, so it won’t eliminate them entirely, just deter them.
Marigolds attract pests like snails and spider mites–which can be problematic, if you want your Marigolds to be purely for aesthetic reasons. When I use them, I kind of use them like the sacrificial lamb of the garden. I know that they will attract certain bugs, but it keeps them off of my edibles, so I am okay with them being under attack.
In addition to repelling certain bugs, Marigolds do their fair share in helping with feeding the beneficial bugs. They provide nectar and contribute to the overall pollination of your garden. The bugs that they provide nectar for, in turn, prey on pests you don’t want in your garden. It’s the circle of life all in one little flower.
Do you use Marigolds in your garden?
~Mavis
Pictured above is One Hundred Dollars a Month reader Anastasia’s mother in her Glazov, Russia garden. You can see more photos of her parents garden HERE.
Rochelle says
I have planted French Marigolds in between my tomatoes for years. Works great and is very pretty to look at. I got my seeds from Botanical Interest, the best seed company ever!
randy says
I have bee using companion planting researching into plants that disguise the smell of the host plant. Calendulas are supposed to deter asparagus beetles.
Petunias are also a plant that is good for deterring insects. I surrounded my outer border of my garden with chives and have found it helps as well.
JoAnn C. says
Mavis, I absolutely rely on Marigolds to help with pest. Besides their beautiful appearance, they really do make a different with the insect issues. I ring my garden with them and I also plan on interspersing them among my tomato plants this summer since I’m trying them in a new spot. They are also great to put somewhere that deer might come by since deer don’t like either the smell or the taste of them. Happy Gardening!
randy says
I do companion planting and have found it really helps
lilton says
I ALWAYS plant marigolds in my raised beds. They add some nice color to otherwise just green plants. I’m sure they help control the bad insects but, honestly, I’ve never planted veggies without the marigolds so I’m not sure just how much work they’ve been doing for me (and since I’ve had more than my fair share of battles with squash bugs and potato beetles, I really don’t want to find out how many others might be visiting but for my marigolds!).