Outdoor gardening unfortunately equals bugs. Bugs and pests come in all shapes and sizes so it’s important to be able to identify the pests who will attack your plant from the insects that will help your plant grow.
Aphids are the main pest for gardeners – they’re small tiny fly-like insects that come in green and black and tend to clump together on leaves.
Snails and slugs also can ruin your plant by chewing through the leaves; you can tell it’s them from the big hole shapes in the leaves and the slimy trails.
There are a few ways you can protect your plant safely. We don’t recommend insecticide here at Little Eden – it puts chemicals into the environment that can harm bees and other animals that help your garden thrive.
WHAT TO DO
Use a bucket of soapy water to wash down leaves with aphids on them.
Ladybirds eat aphids, so encourage them into your garden with pollen-rich and brightly coloured plants.
You can also spray aphids directly with an organic (chemical free) pest spray, which are based on plant extracts and don’t damage your plant.
Finally, spread coffee grounds around the base on your plant to deter snails and slugs.