For gardeners, every new planting season offers a chance for a fresh beginning. Seed packets transform into sprouted greens, sparking visions of juicy tomatoes, abundant peppers, and flourishing blooms. Yet, the presence of pesky garden critters can swiftly shatter hopes of a bountiful harvest. To preempt these unwelcome pests, consider planning and planting natural repellents, with a simple solution often found right at home – the onion. Nature itself provides a surprising ally in the battle against garden intruders.
Introducing the Experts:
Sarah Carter, the Vice President of Goizueta Gardens and Living Collections at the Atlanta History Center, and Lauren Lee, a certified kitchen gardener and owner of Dear Friend, Flower and Garden.
Emitting Odors:
Onions, from pungent bulbs to delicate chives, possess properties that can help repel unwanted visitors in the garden. Sarah Carter, overseeing 33 acres of gardens at the Atlanta History Center, highlights the efficacy of strategically incorporating onions throughout crops due to pests disliking the smell. The sulfur compounds in onions and other alliums, like garlic and leeks, are believed to be the primary deterrent for many garden pests.
Planting Strategies:
To maximize the onion effect, plan your planting methodically. Carter suggests interspersing onions like chives among other crops or creating a border around garden beds to ward off pests. While onions may not provide foolproof protection, they serve as a good alternative for pest control. Additionally, Lauren Lee notes that alliums can also ward off deer due to their strong scent and taste, which are unappealing to these animals.
Other Benefits:
Apart from deterring pests, incorporating onions and other alliums into your garden can offer additional advantages. Some varieties, like chives and ornamental onions, attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies with their flowers.
Overall, by strategically planting onions and leveraging their natural properties, gardeners can enhance pest control and promote a thriving garden ecosystem.
“In the early spring, at a time when pollinators require an early-season food source,” Lee explains. These plants not only provide nutrients to beneficial predatory insects like ladybugs, aiding in pest management. They are not only visually appealing but also edible. The onions planted for pest control can be harvested and used in recipes or as a garnish. “Chives and scallions are abundant growers throughout much of the year. After cutting them, they will regrow rapidly, allowing you to potentially share with neighbors or a local food kitchen,” Lee adds. Check out the original article featured in Southern Living.
