Using Marigolds Around Plants – Do Marigolds Keep Bugs Away

by johnah on November 20, 2020

Marigolds are one of the most popular plants in the garden. They provide beautiful colors and aromas when they bloom. However, if your marigold plant is not getting enough sunlight or it does not get enough water, then its health will suffer. You may have noticed that some types of plants seem to attract insects rather than repel them. Some examples include:

Cottonwood trees (Populus tremuloides)

Hollyhocks (Asteraceae family)

Pineapple tree (Platanus indica)

The reason why these plants are so attractive to insects is because they produce a substance called pheromones. These substances cause certain insects to seek out the source of these odors. Insects will often congregate around the smell of these plants because they associate the odor with food. If you are having problems attracting insects to your garden, there are several things you can try.

1. Use a pesticide to kill off any unwanted insects that might be attracted to your garden.

For example, if you notice aphids crawling all over your tomatoes, spray them with a product like Diatomaceous Earth (DE). This will kill off all of the aphids, as well as any other soft-bodied insects that may come in contact with it.

2. Consider planting herbs and flowers that have a strong scent.

Many scented plants are not attractive to most insects. For example, you could try planting marigolds around your garden. Marigolds give off a smell that most insects find offensive. You can also try planting lavender, sage, rosemary, or chives around your garden.

3. Purchase caged plants.

These plants often come with a protective barrier to prevent insects from destroying the plant’s root system. Most of these barriers also keep away animals like rabbits and deer.

4. Create a beneficial insect habitat in your garden.

There are many types of ladybugs, bees, and other insects that feed on other types of insects. If you create an environment that encourages these beneficial insects, they will seek shelter and food in your garden. This will help to keep away the bad insects.

5. Install a water feature like a pond or fountain.

Many types of insects cannot swim, so they will avoid these types of features. They also provide a soothing sound that is pleasant to listen to.

6. Create a “no-fly” zone by spraying a thin layer of mustard oil on the leaves of your plants.

This deters flies and other insects that have wings from approaching your garden. Reapply the oil once a week.

7. Consider planting thorny bushes around the perimeter of your garden.

Many types of insects like to crawl over soft, round things, so they will avoid bushes with sharp thorns because it will damage their bodies.

There are many other ways to prevent insects from entering your garden. The most important thing is to be proactive and take steps to keep them out in the first place. If you discover that your garden has an insect infestation, there are several steps you can take to get rid of them.

Tips for Getting Rid of Insects in Your Garden

1. Remove the pest from your garden immediately.

Pick off the insects that are on the surface of your plants and dispose of them in a garbage bag. You can also spray them with an insecticidal soap or a baking soda mixture (one part baking soda to four parts water) to kill them.

2. Remove their food source by removing and disposing of infested plants.

You can also cover the soil with mulch to prevent new weeds from sprouting. Apply a layer of wood ash around your plants to get rid of slugs and snails.

3. Use companion planting to reduce the population of certain insects.

For example, plant basil among your tomato plants. The scent of the basil keeps the tomato hornworm away. Plant tansy around your carrots to keep away the carrot rust fly.

4. Use an insect trap.

Bait the inside of the trap with a little honey or fruit juice to attract flies. Then, cover it with a cloth to prevent unwanted insects from getting in and flammable materials from getting out. When the trap is full, dispose of it far away from your garden.

5. Get a cat to hunt down and kill insects in your garden.

It may seem counter-intuitive to encourage vermin to roam your garden, but a cat will naturally hunt and kill mice, slugs, and other insects that eat plants.

6. Use insect traps.

These are sticky strips that catch and trap insects when they fly into them. They are available in different varieties to capture different types of insects.

7. Use an insect-eating plant to get rid of insects.

The most common type is the Venus flytrap. It naturally eats insects and relies on them for nutrients.

8. Use an excessive amount of mulch.

This will smother many types of insects. You should be careful not to use too much, though, as it can cause problems with your soil.

9. Allow natural predators to control the population of a certain type of insect in your garden.

For example, frogs and toads will eat insects all day long. They make a great addition to a garden, as long as you don’t mind the sound they make (their mating call is very loud).

10. Use an insecticide. There are many different types available at your local garden center. Be sure to carefully read and follow the instructions on the packaging.

Chapter 3

Harvesting,

Storing, and

Canning Your

Vegetables

Once your plants have formed edible parts, it will take some time for them to grow to maturity, and then you will have to wait even longer for them to be ready to eat. Patience is a virtue when it comes to growing your own food, but the wait will be worth it. When you pick your own ripe tomatoes and crisp lettuce, it will taste so much better than store-bought vegetables, which have traveled thousands of miles before reaching your grocery store.

Harvesting

When your vegetables are ripe and ready to eat, it is time to harvest them. Follow these tips for successful harvests:

1. Harvest leafy greens like lettuce and spinach early in the morning, when they are coolest.

This will keep them fresh longer.

2. Cut root vegetables like carrots, beets, and potatoes after a light frost.

This sweetens them up.

3. Harvest your fruit when it separates easily from the branch.

This is different for each type of fruit tree, so read the instructions that come with your plants or ask at your garden center.

4. Ripe fruit will generally have a slightly softer feel than the stem of the plant.

5. Harvest some early and some late.

This way, you will ensure you have fruits and vegetables throughout the whole growing season.

Storing

Once you have harvested your fruits and vegetables, it is important that you store them properly so they do not spoil. Here are some tips to help you:

1. Clean your vegetables and fruits thoroughly with water.

2. Some vegetables, like potatoes and onions, can be stored for months in a cool, dark place.

Make sure they are completely dry before storing them.

3. Other vegetables, like lettuce and cabbage, should be stored in the fridge in breathable bags or wrapping.

4. Fruits should be stored in the fridge, as well.

If you find they are beginning to rot, make sure to throw them away before the rotten spot spreads.

5. Do not store fruits or vegetables in plastic bags, as this can make them spoil faster.

Canning

If you grow enough food, it might be more cost effective (and simpler) to can and preserve it rather than giving it all away or putting it up yourself for later. Once you have planted, grown, and harvested your crops, you will need to follow a specific set of instructions to can them safely. The following instructions will teach you how.

Before you begin, you will need the following:

• A large pot (at least 8 quarts) that can handle high temperatures. You will be processing the jars in boiling water in this pot.

• Canning jars with new lids and rings. These jars must be specially made for canning, as you cannot use mayonnaise or jelly jars. You can find these at most garden centers or buy them online.

• A kit that contains a special tool for removing the air in the jars and a bubble remover, which is used for releasing air bubbles that may have formed inside the jar.

• Salt

• Large towels to set the hot jars on

Once you have gathered all of your materials, you are ready to can! Follow these steps:

1. Wash all of your fruits and vegetables.

2. Prepare your jars by cleaning them in hot, soapy water.

Then, sterilize the jars by boiling them for at least 5 minutes. Keep the jars in the pot when you are not filling them, as this will keep them sterile until you are ready to use them.

3. Fill the canning pot with enough water to cover all of the jars, and bring to a rolling boil.

4. Add 1 teaspoon of salt per quart to the jars.

This will help to keep the vegetables or fruits from turning color.

5. Fill the jars with food and add the preferred spices at this time.

Pack the jars fairly tightly, but leave 1 inch of headroom in each jar.

6. Use the bubble remover to release any air bubbles that have formed.

Air bubbles can prevent your preserves from sealing properly.

Sources & references used in this article:

Isolation of volatiles with insecticidal properties from the genusTagetes (Marigold) by C Wells, W Bertsch, M Perich – Chromatographia, 1992 – Springer

A comparison of the effectiveness of the aqueous extracts of garlic, castor beans and marigold in the biocontrol of root-knot nematode in tomato by H Tibugari, D Mombeshora, R Mandumbu… – J. Agric …, 2012 – thaiscience.info

Effects of marigold on the behavior, survival and nutrient reserves of Aphidius Platensis by IL Souza, RC Marucci, LCP Silveira, NCP de Paulo… – BioControl, 2018 – Springer

Aphid parasitoids detect that an alien plant was present nearby during their development by HF Van Emden, I Eletherianos, J Rose… – Physiological …, 2002 – Wiley Online Library