The Spring and Summer months bring warmer weather and blossoming flowers which also translates to ushering in bug and mosquito season. In anticipation for the insect onslaught that the South is so famous for, I chose to try a natural alternative to keep the biting bugs at bay. My outdoor patio was in need of some color and decor as well as insect prevention so I decided to make container gardens with these bug deterring plants. After researching a number of plants, I went to my local nursery and home improvement store for the supplies and started this garden project. The container gardens were easy to make; taking less than 15 minutes a piece to put together. They are each so beautiful and I am pleased with the results.
The Container Garden Golden Rule
Thrill, Fill, & Spill
The plants I used:
- 1 Lemon Grass (the thrill)
- 4 Yellow Marigolds (the fill)
- 1 variegated annual (the spill), not bug or mosquito repellent but I thought it was pretty
Gardening Supplies
- Large Planter
- 3 bags of 25 quart Miracle Gro Potting Mix
- SUPERthrive All Purpose Plant Food
- Watering can or a large bucket or container that you don’t mind getting wet or dirty
To start, fill the planter 2/3 to 3/4 full of potting soil. Follow the portion directions on the SUPERthrive bottle and mix it with water in the watering can or bucket. Slowly pour the SUPERthrive mixture into the soil and mix until it is damp.
Take the lemon grass out of its plastic pot. Dig a small hole in the soil in the back portion of the container for the plant to fit in and place it inside. Be sure the hole is deep enough so that none of the plant’s roots are above the soil line.
Dig 4 holes evenly spaced holes around the front of the lemon grass. Remove the marigold plants from their plastic containers and plant them in the holes.
In the front center of the container, dig a hole for the last annual and set it inside.
Fill in any extra gaps with the dry potting mix. Thoroughly water the container garden with the SUPERthrive mixture. Gently press down on the soil to make it level and evenly packed. Make sure that none of the plant’s roots are exposed. If so, add more soil.
VOILA! Your mosquito and bug repellent container garden is finished!
Extra Tips:
- Do not overstuff and crowd the container garden. The plants will grow and bloom so make sure to allow space and room for that.
- If the plant’s roots balled up when you take them out of the container, take scissors and make a small snip on all 4 sides of the root portion of the bottom of the plant. This will break up the roots and encourage new untangled growth.
- Read my other post,
- 12 Amazing Bug & Mosquito Repellent Plants, for other container garden ideas.
It has been one week since I planted my bug and mosquito repellent container gardens and they are thriving! I have watched bugs fly up to our patio and then immeadiately turn around and go away when they get near the plants. This is such a great natural alternative to keep those flying pests away from your home. Happy Gardening!
