"Garden Heroes: Plants That Help Pollinators and Deter Insects"

Plants That Attract Pollinators and Repel Insects

Plants that attract pollinators and repel insects are essential for growing fruit, vegetables, seeds, and other crops. Furthermore, they help gardeners avoid using pesticides that may harm both beneficial and harmful insects.

Flowers are a primary pollen source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. These insects collect pollen from flowers and spread it around the garden to fertilize other flowers.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is an herb that keeps bugs away. It has long been recognized as an effective mosquito repellent and a lizard and bee repellant.

It can also effectively treat Varroa mites and tracheal mites due to its antifungal and antiviral properties that could help prevent Nosema disease spread.

Growing this plant is a breeze; it can be planted indoors and outdoors. To thrive, the succulent prefers moist soil with plenty of sunlight.

Thyme

Thyme is a perennial herb that thrives best in full sun with well-drained soil. You can grow it indoors or as ground cover, and it will thrive in USDA zones 5 through 8.

This herb has an earthy, lemony, and minty flavor. You can use it in various dishes and recipes such as poultry, fish, vegetables, cheese, pasta, soups, and stews.

Thyme essential oil can also serve as a natural mosquito repellent. Crush some leaves and apply them as a spray, or sprinkle the crushed leaves over plants in your garden or patio for maximum effect.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a tree with numerous medicinal uses, such as cleaning, repelling insects, and moisturizing skin. Additionally, its sweet scent helps relieve anxiety and promote sleep.

Eucalypts are flowering trees and shrubs of the Myrtaceae family, native to Australia but widely distributed worldwide for timber and oils. There are over 700 species worldwide in this genus.

Eucalypts grow quickly, often reaching great heights. They're a common feature in Australian forests due to their resistance to forest fires and can be harvested for pulpwood production, essential oil production, honey production, and timber harvesting.

Fruit Trees

Fruit trees are an integral part of gardens and landscapes around the world. Not only do they provide nutritious food, but also shelter and shade to wildlife.

Fruit Trees Need Pollinators

In most cases, fruit trees require pollinators to set fruit. While some self-pollinate, most require insect or wind pollinators to move pollen from male flowers to female ones.

Pollinating insects such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds help pollinate fruit trees. Many flowering trees, such as walnut and chestnut trees, rely on wind for pollen movement.

Berry Bushes

Edible berry bushes make an attractive addition to any landscaping scheme. Wide varieties produce flowers and berries, while some add vibrant fall colors during the season.

Blueberries, for instance, thrive best in slightly warmer climates - typically zones 4-7. To achieve their best growth conditions, blueberry fields need soil with a pH level of around 4.5 to 5.5.

On the other hand, Blackberries prefer cooler winters and may be harder to cultivate in warmer regions. Furthermore, they typically take longer to mature - sometimes five years or more - than their summer-harvested counterparts.

Regular weeding and dead cane removal is essential for maintaining a healthy bush like other berry bushes. Fertilizing once annually also plays an important role.

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