Dried coffee grounds, blood and bone, ashes from untreated wood, seaweed, sheep pellets and other natural manure make great fertilisers. Pest Control Location, location, location Pick the right spot - plant in sunny, spots with good drainage to keep plants healthy. Attract birds, ladybirds, lacewings and worms to your garden - they will help to keep the pests down. Companion Planting Certain plants assist others in fending off attack by pests. For examples, chives help roses against aphids, thyme protects cabbages from white butterfly caterpillars and nasturtiums lure aphids away from a variety of plants.
Marigolds deter a variety of insets.
Ask your garden centre for information on companion planting. Rotation Planting Crop rotation reduces the build-up of pests and disease in the soil. Always pull or hoe weeks before they flower. Boil and leave to soak for 2 days. Strain and use.