12 Plants to Deter Pests From Your Edible Garden

Do you plant marigolds with your tomatoes and radishes with your leafy greens?

Using sacrificial or companion plants is a natural pest control method that avoids pesticides and other toxins in the garden. These plants act as a decoy for slugs, snails, white flies, and other pests looking for a snack in the veggie patch. Although their veracious appetites are frustrating for gardeners, these pests also benefit the soil and the garden through pollination. The sacrificial plant provides a food source while keeping the rest of the garden out of danger.

Sow or plant sacrificial plants early in a perimeter around what you hope to protect. Each decoy attracts different pests, but a good rule of thumb is to plant one decoy plant for every six you want to save.

Nasturtiums

Aphids, blackflies, and whiteflies love nasturtiums. Plant around roses and the perimeter of the vegetable garden. Before long, the stems will be covered with munching insects. Plant nasturtiums in succession throughout the growing season. As each crop becomes saturated with pests, dispose of it in the compost. Not only do nasturtiums attract the unwanted, but they also add bright color and interest to your space.

Primroses

To prevent vine weevils from feasting on rhododendrons or the tender shoots of clematis, pot up primroses and place them around the main plant. When the primrose leaves fall off, it’s a sign that the nasty weevil larvae are in the primrose pots and must be disposed of immediately.

Stinging Nettle

Aphids flock to nettles, so they are good choices for rose beds where aphids tend to feast willingly on new growth or close to eggplant and tomato crops. Plant early in the season. Nettles tend to spread, so consider planting them in pots that you can place discretely in the garden bed. Doing so will keep the garden looking tidy and also prevent you from being stung by them when watering or pruning.

Marigolds 

Plant marigolds in succession throughout the growing season. These pretty annuals are perfect companions for most vegetable crops and help keep the slugs and snails at bay.

Radish

Plant radishes liberally throughout the vegetable patch, and the flea beetle and root fly will not pay attention to the cabbage.

Lavender

The strong lavender scent we love is famous for deterring many biting bugs away from other plants. As a bonus, lavender attracts beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies to the garden.

Sunflowers

Once fully matured, sunflowers are like a magnet for unwanted insects such as stink bugs, keeping your sweetcorn and okra crops safe.

Mint

This powerfully scented herb deters carrot flies, flea beetles, onion flies, aphids, and black flies. Use it as a sacrificial ground cover and in the kitchen!

Onion

The scent of onions deters aphids. Growing them alongside strawberries can also help prevent moldy fruit.

Sage

Many gardeners have problems with rats. They don’t like the smell of green and white sage and will keep away if they pick up the scent. Plant it throughout the veggie patch or hosta garden to keep the rodents away.

Lemongrass

The strong citrus scent of lemongrass is also disgusting to mice and rats!

Daffodils

Plant daffodils to keep the squirrels away. They despise the smell of the flowers and bulbs. After the spring favorite finishes for the season, leave the bulb in the ground, and the garden will remain squirrel-free.

These decoy plants will add color and interest to the garden and keep the beneficial insects happy and those with big appetites so the plants you love the most remain free of pests.