this post was submitted on 28 Apr 2026
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Gardening

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Outdoor veggie and fruit gardeners, how do you protect your crops against disease and from becoming a buffet for pests and wildlife? (lemmy.ml)
submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by yo_scottie_oh@lemmy.ml to c/gardening@lemmy.world
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I'm growing tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers for my first time not on a balcony, and I'm a tad concerned about caterpillars, squirrels, and other wildlife finding their way to my crops; that said, I would like to keep my space as earth friendly as possible, so chemical pesticides are out. I've read blog articles about trimming the lowest branches to prevent disease and planting trap crops such as nasturtiums and marigolds to lure pests away from the tomatoes. Do these techniques actually work? How do other gardeners handle this situation?

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[โ€“] banana@communick.news 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The three main pests in my urban garden are rats, insects, and neighbours. :)

The first two years I grew food I killed almost 20 rats. The rats are not going anywhere so I had to change what I grow:

  • I hang the strawberries
  • I grow tall peas now instead of short ones
  • I no longer grow carrots or beats
  • I spread chili powder around the tomatoes

For insects:

  • Raised garden beds to reduce slugs
  • Flowers that attract aphids to attract lady bugs
  • Umbellifer flowers to attract beneficial wasps

For neighbours, I haven't done anything yet. I may net the fruit trees.

[โ€“] Mpeach45@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

Apparently owls are a major rat predator IF you keep your exterior lights low. Might increase neighbor incursions though.