How to Keep Pests Out of Your Garden Naturally

Hey Frenns! 🌱
Let‘s keep it real, frenns—pests are part of the gardening journey. Whether you’ve got tomatoes growing on the patio or herbs tucked into a raised bed, at some point, you’re bound to find a few uninvited guests nibbling on your hard work. But don’t panic! If you’re looking for natural, no-chemical ways to deal with garden pests, I got you. Let’s talk about how to handle these critters the WindyCityPeach way—with a little patience, a little know-how, and a lot of joy.

Here are 3 tried-and-true ways to keep pests out of your garden—the WindyCityPeach way. 😉

1. Use Companion Planting as a Natural Pest Repellent

Certain plants naturally repel pests and can protect your crops just by being nearby. For example:

• Marigolds deter aphids and nematodes. They also attract good pollinators.
• Basil can help ward off mosquitoes and flies.
• Mint? Baby, it’s a roach and ant deterrent AND smells amazing.

2. Attract the Right Bugs (Yes, Really!

Not all bugs are bad. Some are your garden’s built-in security team.
Invite beneficial insects like:

• Ladybugs (they eat aphids!)
• Praying mantises
• Lacewings

How? Grow nectar-rich flowers like yarrow, dill, or fennel. Good bugs will show up, handle the pests, and ask for nothing but a sunny spot to chill.

3. Make a DIY Neem Oil Spray

Sometimes pests get out of hand, and you need a little backup. Neem oil is a gardener’s best-kept secret:

• Mix 2 tsp neem oil + 1 tsp dish soap + 1 quart of water.
• Spray on affected leaves every 7–10 days.
• Works on aphids, mites, whiteflies, and more.

And yes, it’s totally safe for your veggies AND your pets!

Let me tell y’all about the year squash bugs tried me. I was excited to grow summer yellow squash, but these little gray pests came in hot—laying eggs on the underside of the leaves and sucking the life out of my plants. I started inspecting leaves daily, removing the clusters of copper-colored eggs by hand (just scrape them off with tape or your fingernail). Then I hit them with my homemade neem oil spray and added some diatomaceous earth to confuse the pests. It took consistency and checking them none stop. It was a daily battle that I documented on my tik tok. If you don’t mind the grossness- check it out.

Bonus Tip for Pests: Know When to Let It Go

Listen, some damage is normal. Your garden is alive—it’s not meant to be perfect.
When pests start stealing your joy (and taking over!) now you’ve got tools to fight back.

Want more beginner-friendly tips like these?
Grab your copy of Harvesting Joy: A Beginner’s Gardening Guide—your go-to guide for growing food, staying sane, and finding peace in your garden.