If you’re looking for a natural way to
control pests and insects in your garden, you might want to try adding some insect-repelling plants. If you’re starting out with a new garden, or if you want to do all you can to keep mosquitoes, caterpillars and gnats away from your existing plants, this guide will help you do it.
1. Plan your garden
Inspect your garden and identify problem areas. These could be empty spaces, areas that attract more insects than others, or areas that are overgrown. Keep in mind what season it currently is and the quality of your soil. If you suspect the soil could be a bit barren, you might want to add some compost or potting soil to your shopping list in the next step.
2. Make a list of what you need to buy
Nurseries don’t generally have a section dedicated to insect-repelling plants, so keep the following list of common insect-repelling plants handy when doing your shopping:
Herbs
• Basil
• Bay leaf
• Catnip
• Chives
• Dill
• Fennel
• Garlic
• Lemon balm
• Lemon thyme
• Lemongrass
• Mint
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme
Flowers
• Chrysanthemum
• Narcissus
• Common lantana
• Bee balm
• Lavender (can also be found in the shrubs section)
• Nasturtium
• Marigold
• Petunia
• Geranium
• Floss flower
3. Visit your local nursery
Pretty much any nursery will have the basics you need for an insect-repelling garden but a good nursery is a bonus. While good nurseries can be a bit more expensive, you’re less likely to bring home plants in weed-ridden soil, and they should give you basic caring instructions for most plants as an added bonus.
4. Find the right sections
The two main sections you’ll find insect-repelling plants are the herbs and flowers sections at the nursery. Depending on the season, some plants might not be available.
5. Pack the plants in your car
Driving around with a bunch of pot plants in the car can become a messy business. Line the boot of your car with some refuse bags or newspaper. Some nurseries have rolls of plastic at the exit for this purpose. Pack the pots upright and try to fit them snugly in a corner, but don’t let any leaves or flowers get caught under anything.
6. Drive home
If you take a turn too sharp or stop too fast your plants might fall over, and while your car is lined to protect it against dirt, you might end up damaging your plants. Drive carefully. Just sticking to the speed limit should do it, but be extra careful around bends and corners.
7. Prepare your soil
Before you can plant your new treasures, you need to make sure the soil is ready and healthy. Loosen and turn the soil with a gardening fork. If you want to add some compost or potting soil, now’s the time. Work it into the existing soil to get a good mix. Rake the area to level it and to get rid of any weeds or rocks.
8. Move plants as necessary
You want to spread the insect-repelling plants evenly around your garden. If some areas are empty while others are over populated, move some plants around to make space for the new plants.
9. Dig a hole
The hole should be deep enough that it will cover the roots of the plant when the soil is replaced. Don’t make the hole too close to an existing plant, as they need space to grow.
10. Remove the plant from its container
Be careful when removing plants from their containers so you don’t hurt their roots. If you hurt the root system too badly, your plant has very little chance of surviving.
a. Firstly, take the pot in between your hands and squeeze gently to break up the soil in the pot. Rotate the pot about 90° and squeeze again.
b. Spread your fingers and with your palm against the soil, gently place your ring and middle fingers on either side of the stem of the plant.
c. Tip the pot over into your hands so the loosened soil and plant gently drops into your palm, upside down.
d. Gently shake the roots to loosen them up a little.
11. Plant those bad boys
Gently place the plant in the hole you made in step 9. Scrape the soil you removed back into the hole to cover the roots of your plant. Make sure the roots are covered all the way. Softly press down on the soil around the base of the plant. Repeat steps 9 to 11 for each plant.
12. Water your new plants
Plants experience trauma when you replant them. Some sources claim that after this trauma, plants need some time to get used to their new soil before you water them. In our experience this is bad advice. You should water your new plants as soon as you’ve planted them to give them the best chance to grow.
While the exact science behind insect-repelling plants hasn’t quite been figured out yet, scientists have noticed that unwanted garden pests are repelled by the strong aromas of some plants.