Presenter: Nigel Ruck
Episode: 20 (8 September 2007)

One of the most satisfying things you can do in the garden is to grow your own herbs, fruit and veggies. The whole gardening process becomes that much more enjoyable when the fruits of your labour arrive at the dinner table, without the tell tales signs of naughty pests who have also had a feed.

Pests are just a fact of life in the garden; fruit fly, caterpillars, aphids, snails and slugs will always be around. The trick is to keep them away from your precious crops before they do too much damage.

Keeping your plants strong and healthy is essential. Good soil preparation, fertilizing and watering is the key. Combine this with regular inspections to identify any possible problems or unwanted visitors.

There are all sorts of chemicals and pellets that you can use with great results. But not all people want to use chemicals on their kitchen garden, which is fair enough. A nice alternative is to use a scheme of companion planting, using plants that naturally deter any uninvited dinner guests.
Marigolds long have been valued for their ability to ward off nematodes and other insect pests and they have great big yellow and orange flowers, so get them in there. They are like the bouncers of the gardening world saying to the pests, we do not like your type in here.

Another old favourite are nasturtiums that naturally repel things like white fly and fleas. Sage is a nice one for attracting bees; which is a good thing, and they have lovely aromatic leaves.

So there you go some beneficial plants with many beneficial, benefits.