From our perspective, the best defense against pests is our own vitality. A stressed rose is a beacon for aphids and other invaders. You can help us by ensuring we are planted in a location with at least six hours of sunlight daily, which energizes our systems. Provide us with consistent moisture, not overhead watering which can spread fungal issues to our leaves, but deep watering at the base. Most critically, feed the soil, not just us. Amending the soil with rich, finished compost provides a steady stream of nutrients and fosters a healthy ecosystem of beneficial microbes around our roots. This makes our sap less appealing to sucking insects and our stems stronger against disease.
We do not stand alone in the garden; many insects are our guardians. Your role is to recruit and protect them. Ladybugs and their larvae, lacewings, and hoverfly larvae are voracious predators of aphids. You can attract these beneficial insects by planting companion flora that we enjoy, such as fragrant herbs like dill, fennel, and cilantro, or flowers like sweet alyssum and yarrow. These allies provide them with nectar and pollen, encouraging them to take up residence in your garden and patrol our leaves and buds. Please avoid broad-spectrum pesticides, even organic ones like pyrethrin, as they will harm these friends as well as our foes.
When pest populations rise, we appreciate immediate but non-toxic help. A strong jet of water from a hose directed at our foliage can dislodge a significant number of aphids, mites, and other small pests, disrupting their feeding. For more persistent issues, insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils are effective organic options. These work by suffocating soft-bodied insects like aphids, thrips, and scale. It is crucial to apply these treatments during the cooler parts of the day, early morning or late evening, to prevent the sun from causing damage to our tender leaves. Always ensure you coat the undersides of our leaves where pests love to hide.
Monocultures are an invitation for pests to feast. By interplanting us with a variety of other species, you create a confusing environment for pests seeking their host plant. Strongly scented plants like garlic, onions, and chives can help mask our scent from pests. Other companions, such as marigolds, can deter nematodes in the soil with their root secretions. This diversity above ground fosters a healthier soil food web below ground, which in turn supports our root systems and overall health, making us less susceptible to infestation and disease.
