Grow Green: Nontoxic Gardening with Natural Pest Control

In the last few years, gardeners and farmers have become much more aware of the impact that traditional pesticides can have on the environment and our personal health. Products like Roundup, which contains glyphosate, have been linked to decreasing bee populations and cancer in humans. Fortunately, there are natural, super effective pest controls that really work without any of the negative impacts to our health or the environment.

One of the most powerful natural pest controls is companion planting—the practice of growing specific plants near each other to enhance growth and repel pests. This method has been used for centuries, far before chemical pesticides and herbicides hit the market. I love using herbs and flowers along the edges of my beds to not only repel pests, but to also act as pest traps, if pests are going to eat something, I’d rather it be some flowers on the edges than the veggies in the middle.

Planting marigolds, for example, alongside tomatoes helps deter nematodes and aphids, while basil can enhance tomato flavor and also repel flies and mosquitoes. Nasturtiums are excellent companions for squash, cucumbers, and brassicas, acting as a trap crop to draw aphids and beetles away from the main harvest. Plants like garlic and chives are excellent natural deterrents for Japanese beetles and carrot flies.

Companion planting also promotes biodiversity, which is crucial in resisting pest invasions naturally. When your garden is full of different plants, pests are less likely to spread uncontrollably. Traditional large scale farms will plant rows and rows of the same plant, making them extremely susceptible to diseases and pests. When there is a wide variety of plants in one garden bed, diseases and pests are far less likely to take over.

Using nature to fight nature has been the most effective way for me to grow lots of food with very little maintenance. Companion planting is such a great way to increase the amount and variety you grow and is a big part of the garden consulting work I do here in San Diego. If you’re local and need help getting your garden thriving with low maintenance, be sure to check out my services here.

By focusing on natural solutions like companion planting, you're not only protecting your own health but also helping to foster a more resilient ecosystem. Your garden becomes more than a food source; it becomes a haven for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects that keep the balance in check.

Healthy soil, healthy plants, and healthy people go hand in hand. Using companion planting instead of harsh chemicals will help protect our soil and our families health for generations to come. Nature has always offered us tools for living in harmony—we just have to use them wisely.