Spring Gardening Tips: Plants That'll Help You Keep The Pests At Bay

GARLIC: This tasty dish accent isn't a favorite of many critters that can uproot your gardening plans. Planting garlic can ward off aphids, carrot root flies, Japanese beetles, and more.

CHIVES: You love them on your baked potatoes. The insects that attack your garden? Not so much. The strong, onion-like scent particularly tends to scare off Japanese beetles.

BASIL: Can't stand mosquitoes? Honestly, none of us can! If you're nervous about using pest repellents to keep them away, grow some basil. This super-useful herb has a naturally-repellent effect on many insects, including those little vampire mosquitoes!

CITRONELLA GRASS: One of the top defenses against mosquitoes may be growing in your own backyard! Citronella grass can be found plenty here in South Carolina. Grow some of this fast-growing plant in a planter (or several planters) and keep it near outdoor gathering spaces. Mosquitoes will stay away, and you won't have to worry about buying expensive candles!

LAVENDER: Ticks can be incredibly hard to get rid of in your yard. Once they're there, they'll hang around forever, and they're waiting to hang on to you. Reduce the threat of tick bites by growing some lavender. This lovely, wonderful-smelling plant serves as a natural defense to keep your yard safe from ticks.