Many pests migrate into gardens as temperatures rise in spring and summer. Set seeds or transplants as soon as the local calendar allows. Insects that spend part of their life cycle in the soil can build up to damaging proportions underground if you grow the same vegetables in the same place year after year. Crop rotation helps reduce pests such as Colorado potato beetles and many other insects that spend time underground. Plant varieties known to be resistant to pests.
Some varieties are less likely to be damaged by caterpillars or other pests.