How To Keep Pests Out Of Herb Garden? (PRO Tips)

Safeguard your herb garden from unwanted intruders with our pro tips on how to keep pests out of your herb garden. In this post, we provide expert advice on identifying and preventing common garden pests, ensuring the health and productivity of your herbs.

For those interested in planting a vertical herb garden, our guide on how to plant a vertical herb garden offers step-by-step instructions. Additionally, if you’re wondering about houseplants that are safe for cats to eat, don’t miss our article on what kind of house plants can cats eat.

Takeaways
Proper watering and drainage can prevent insect infestations in herb gardens.
Companion planting can help repel pests and attract beneficial insects.
Using natural remedies such as garlic spray, neem oil, or soap sprays can be an effective way to control pests.
Regular inspection and maintenance of plants and garden area can help prevent pest infestations.
Seeking professional help may be necessary for severe or persistent pest problems.

Dive in and learn how to maintain a pest-free herb garden that will thrive and provide you with fresh, aromatic herbs.

1. Plant Herbs in a Sunny

Sunlight is essential for photosynthesis. Herbs need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day to grow, so the more sunlight you can give your herbs, the better!

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2. Choose Your Plants Carefully

Second, you should choose your plants carefully. The best way to avoid pests is to grow herbs that are resistant or immune to them.

For example, when planting mint in your herb garden, choose peppermint rather than spearmint because it’s more resistant to pests like whiteflies and aphids.

Similarly, bee balm (Monarda didyma) is less susceptible to spider mites than other types of mints.

If you have a large garden space and can afford the time and money needed for extensive research on every plant you want to grow in it, then by all means do so!

But if time and/or budget constraints limit what you can affordably purchase from seed companies or nurseries each year and let’s be honest.

Most of us fall into this category it would probably be best for our sanity not too deeply delve into these details unless absolutely necessary (we will cover some specific examples below).

How to Keep Insects Out of Herb Planters & Gardens

3. Rotate Your Crops

This is the most important method in fighting pests and diseases. By rotating your crops, you will be able to avoid them as they are not likely to return to the same spot every year.

For example, if you have planted potatoes last year in a particular spot, don’t plant them there again this year as it will attract potato beetles and other pests that can cause irreparable damage to your crop.

Instead of growing potatoes there again this season, try planting garlic or onions instead since these vegetables are usually not attacked by pests like those associated with potatoes.

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4. Defend Your Garden

Use row covers to keep pests out of your garden. If you want to keep your herb garden pest-free, you may want to consider using row covers (fabric sheets that are suspended above the plants).

They can be used in both spring and fall, but should be removed in hot weather so that your plants don’t get too hot and dry out. Row covers come in different materials:

Floating row cover: This is made of UV-stabilized polyethylene film with a mylar surface; it lets through light and water but keeps out insects and birds.

Use this kind of material during the growing season, since it’s not as durable as other types of fabric.

You’ll also need something heavy enough to hold down floating row cover on windy days or if you have tall crops nearby that could knock over the sheeting themselves (e.g., tomatoes).

5. Keep Weeds under Control

If you’re having trouble keeping weeds at bay, it’s likely because they’ve been in your garden for a while.

That’s because weed seeds can survive in the soil for up to seven years! Since weeds compete for water, nutrients and sunlight with herbs, it’s important that you keep them under control.

You can pull out most annual weeds by hand if they haven’t gone too far into their life cycle yet just make sure to wear gloves so that you don’t get any of their oils on your skin.

But if the weeds are too established or have gone to seed already (like dandelions), use a sprayer filled with pre-mixed herbicide from your local hardware store instead of pulling them out by hand; otherwise those pesky plants will just grow back soon after!

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6. Keep it Clean

Keep it clean. Don’t let weeds grow, remove dead plants and spent flowers and fallen leaves.

Remove all debris from the garden once you harvest fresh herbs.

7. Plant in Containers

Another option is planting in containers. Container gardening is a good way to plant your herbs if you don’t have room for a full-sized garden, or if you are looking for something with a bit more of a modern look. Containers are portable and can be placed on a balcony, deck or patio; in sunny window sills; or even on sunny porches.

If you choose this method, remember that the soil will dry out more quickly than it would in the ground so plan accordingly.

8. Try Companion Planting

Companion planting is a form of plant intercropping, in which plants are grown close together for a specific purpose.

Companion planting can be used to deter pests and improve crop yields. It can also be used to attract beneficial insects.

In general, companion planting is not done for the purpose of pollination, though that does happen inadvertently.

The idea behind companion planting is that certain plants will help each other grow better because they have similar needs or preferences (for example, some plants may prefer shade; others might like more sun).

If you’re trying to grow basil next to tomatoes, it’s important that both are in full sunlight; otherwise they won’t do well together!

9. Install Scare Devices

You can also use scare devices to keep pests away. These devices can be installed in the garden, and they produce sounds that imitate the calls of natural predators of your pests.

The sound will scare off the pests and prevent them from coming back to your herb garden, which means that you won’t have to deal with any more damage from them.

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10. Use Insecticidal Soap Spray

Insecticidal soap is a concentrated insecticide made from cholinesterase inhibitors. It has the ability to kill both adult and larval stages of insects, but will not harm humans or pets if used properly.

The best thing about this natural product is that it is non-toxic to bees and other pollinators, making it great for use in your garden.

As with any pesticides or chemical-based sprays, there are some important things you should know before spraying insecticidal soap on your plants:

Read the label carefully before applying this product. Spray only when temperatures are between 60 degrees F (15 degrees C) and 90 degrees F (32 degrees C).

Do not spray during rain or foggy weather because these conditions may prevent proper evaporation of the solution from plant leaves and stems; instead wait until these conditions pass before spraying again.

Wear rubber gloves when applying insecticidal soap solutions because they can irritate skin if left on too long.

Always keep children away from treated areas until all traces of active ingredients have dried completely off foliage.
Do not allow pets access to planted areas until all traces of active ingredients have thoroughly dried

11. Use Neem Oil Spray

Neem oil is an organic pesticide that’s safe for humans and pets. It’s also a natural pesticide that won’t harm wildlife, but it can be used on vegetables, fruits, flowers and houseplants.

The active ingredients in neem oil are azadirachtin and salannin that attack the nervous system of pests like caterpillars and aphids causing them to stop feeding on plants.

Once they’re no longer eating your plants they die from starvation.

You can apply this insecticide with a pump sprayer or hose end applicator when you notice pests damaging your plant leaves or stems during their feeding period (once in the morning after dew has dried after sunrise).

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Conclusion

Follow these tips to keep pests out of your herb garden. You’ll have fresh herbs for cooking, making tea or tinctures all year long!

FAQs

What are some common pests that can infest herb gardens?

Some common pests that can infest herb gardens include aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and thrips.

How can I identify pests in my herb garden?

You can identify pests in your herb garden by looking for signs such as holes in leaves, sticky residue on leaves, or discolored leaves. You can also use a magnifying glass to inspect the plants for bugs.

What are some natural ways to keep pests out of my herb garden?

Some natural ways to keep pests out of your herb garden include using companion planting, spraying plants with a mixture of water and dish soap, or using garlic spray.

How can I prevent pests from coming back to my herb garden?

To prevent pests from coming back to your herb garden, you can regularly inspect your plants, keep the area around your garden clean and free of debris, and rotate your crops.

When should I seek professional help for pest control in my herb garden?

You should seek professional help for pest control in your herb garden if the infestation is severe or if you have tried multiple methods of control without success. A professional pest control service can provide effective solutions to eliminate pests from your garden.

Hellen James

For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.