Nicole Johnsey Burke shares seven herbs that repel garden pests naturally: sage, oregano, thyme, chives, rosemary, basil, and cilantro. Plant them near tomatoes, peppers, and brassicas to deter cabbage worms, aphids, and spider mites while attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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These are the 7 plants I put in every single one of my clients' gardens to protect it from pests. Sage puts off a woody smell that protects your garden from cabbage moss, cabbage worms, carrot flies, and flea beetles. Plant it next to tomatoes, all of your brassicas, and carrots. Oregano will protect your garden from aphids, cabbage moss, cucumber beetles, and spider mites. You want to plant it next to peppers, cucumbers, and brassicas. Thyme will protect your garden from cabbage moss, cabbage loopers, whiteflies, and tomato hornworms. Plant it underneath your arch trellis where you're planting your tomatoes. Chives will protect your garden from aphids, Japanese beetle, spider mites, and carrot flies. You can plant it next to pretty much everything except for beans and peas. You may have to replant rosemary every single year. It is going to repel cabbage moths, bean beetles, whiteflies, and mosquitoes. Plant it next to brassicas, beans, and carrots. Basil has to be planted every single summer. It will repel aphids, whiteflies, thrips, tomato hornworms, and mosquitoes. Plant it next to tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Cilantro will do double duty. It's going to repel aphids, spider mites, and potato beetles, but it also, when it goes to flower, attracts all the good bugs like ladybugs.