COLUMNISTs: KATRINA & CLAYTON
While the temptation to reach for chemical pesticides may be strong, there are natural methods that can effectively protect your plants without harming the environment or beneficial insects. Follow our three eco-friendly techniques to keep your garden thriving and pest-free.
Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves strategically placing plants next to one another to enhance growth and deter pests. By choosing companion plants wisely, you can create a natural barrier against unwanted insects and other garden pests.
For example, marigolds are renowned for their ability to repel nematodes, which can damage the roots of many garden vegetables. Planting marigolds alongside tomatoes, peppers, and other susceptible crops can help keep blackfly and greenfly at bay too.
Similarly, herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary emit scents that repel insects such as aphids, mosquitoes, and cabbage moths. Placing these herbs amongst your vegetable beds or ornamental plants can help protect them from insect damage while adding beauty and flavour to your garden.
Chives are our ‘go to’ for everything, whenever we plant something, chives go next to it. The slugs and snails do not like the smell and it is toxic if they consume it due to the allicin it produces. Chives are so easy to grow from seed, and divide to spread around, so you can ensure an endless supply.
Researching which plants complement each other and provide natural pest control is key to successful companion planting. By harnessing the power of nature's alliances, you can create a harmonious garden ecosystem that thrives without the need for chemical intervention.
Physical barriers are another effective way to safeguard your plants from pests without resorting to harmful chemicals. Nets, net bags, row covers, and cloches can be used to shield vulnerable plants from insects, birds, and small mammals, while still allowing air, sunlight, and water to reach them.
Fine mesh netting is particularly useful for protecting fruits and vegetables from hungry birds and insects. We use old net curtains on our raised beds for our lettuce. Simply drape the netting over your plants or create makeshift cages to keep pests at bay. Be sure to secure the edges of the netting tightly to prevent any gaps that pests could get in. We use net bags for our fruit, available from supermarkets to put your fruit and veg in, simply put them over and pull the ties.
Row covers, made from lightweight fabric or mesh, can be draped directly over rows of plants to provide protection from pests while also creating a microclimate that promotes growth. These covers are especially beneficial for shielding young seedlings and delicate crops from insect damage and harsh weather conditions.
Cloches, or protective covers placed over individual plants, are ideal for safeguarding tender seedlings from pests and adverse weather. Whether made from glass, plastic, or reclaimed materials, cloches create a miniature greenhouse effect that encourages healthy growth while keeping pests at bay.
Planting your garden in raised beds or vertical structures not only maximises space but also helps to deter pests and minimise the risk of soil-borne diseases. Raised beds elevate your plants above ground level, making them less accessible to crawling insects and burrowing pests.
Additionally, the improved drainage and aeration provided by raised beds can help prevent waterlogged soil, which can attract pests and promote the spread of fungal diseases. By amending the soil with compost and other organic matter, you can create a nutrient-rich growing environment that supports healthy plant growth and resilience.
Vertical gardening takes advantage of vertical space by training plants to grow upwards on trellises, arbours, or other support structures. This not only saves space but also reduces the risk of soil-borne pests and diseases by keeping plants off the ground. Vining crops like cucumbers, beans, and tomatoes are well-suited to vertical gardening and can thrive in compact spaces with proper support.
Protecting your plants from pests naturally is not only possible, but also beneficial for the health of your garden and the environment. By embracing techniques like companion planting, installing protective barriers, and thinking vertically, you can create a thriving garden ecosystem that is resilient to pests and diseases without the need for harmful chemicals.
So, roll up your sleeves, dig in the dirt, and watch your garden flourish.
Katrina and Clayton live with their family in East Ayrshire and share their daily life in the garden on Instagram. They practice permaculture principles in the garden, reducing and repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.
Clayton Completed the 'Grow and Learn' course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society last year. This year he started the Level 2 'Nurture' course. Clayton is 16, autistic, non-verbal, and has been home-educated for the last 5 years.
Katrina and Clayton featured on BBC 'Beechgrove' (Ep23 2022, and Ep17 2023), and are authors of the children’s series 'Clayton's Gardening Adventures: Stories of Autism and Gardening' available on Amazon.
You can keep up with Katrina and Clayton on Instagram, Facebook, and on their website.