Don’t let aphids destroy your garden

Aphids can be present year-round, although they pick up speed in spring which coincides with new plant growth. They are small, green, black, or brown with soft oval bodies and can destroy all your hard work in the garden. When garden conditions are just right, aphids can reproduce at amazing speed, creating a huge, hungry colony in just a few days that can literally suck the life out of your plants.

• For minor infestations, grab the hose and give them a good blast with water to dislodge them from your plants. This may not be the best plan for delicate plants, but if you have trees, shrubs or hardy plants that are infested it will knock them off.  
• You can tip prune the worst affected parts of any plants – but don’t put them in your compost you’ll be spreading them around your garden!
• A natural way to get rid of aphids is by wiping them away from your plant (or spraying them) with a diluted solution of soapy water. Don’t spray in hot weather.
• Invite some plant friends into your garden. There are plant varieties that that will attract beneficial insects to your garden for a meal of aphids!  
• A little companion planting can also be good for avoiding aphids. Anything in the onion family (such as spring onions (obviously) and garlic will keep them away because of their strong smell). Plant them in your borders as your first line of defence.
• Use ‘sacrificial’ plants just to attract the aphids such as nasturtiums, mustard, and cosmos. These will keep them away from your more valuable plants, shrubs, and trees.
• Weed! Aphids can be sneaky little critters and start by infesting any weeds. Once they have taken hold on your weeds, it’s only a matter of time before they move onto your flowers and veggies.
• Attract more birds to your garden

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