What flower to plant in the garden to effectively repel insects

Spring and summer are not only a time of warmth and sunshine, but also the season of insects, some of which cause us a lot of trouble. Flies spread dirt and infections, mosquitoes bite painfully, and many other species harm plants in our gardens and vegetable gardens.

However, experts say that some ornamental plants can repel unwanted creatures as well as toxic repellents. According to the Express, professional gardener Benedict Vanheems said this plant is garden calendula or marigold. This flower brings a lot of benefits - it is easy to grow, edible and looks luxurious in a flower bed.

Interestingly, thanks to its bright colors and distinctive aroma, calendula attracts pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies. They, in turn, help in the cultivation of vegetables and fruits by spreading the pollen of agricultural plants.

Another beneficial class of insects that like calendula are predators that prey on soft-bodied pests such as aphids and various types of caterpillars. According to Vanheems, research has shown that a row of calendula flowers planted next to a cabbage patch can significantly reduce crop damage from pests. For example, experiments conducted in 2009 showed that calendula protects cabbage from fleas and white butterflies. This applies to different types of cabbage - white cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, etc.

To protect your garden with calendula, sow the flower directly into the soil in the vegetable garden and in the garden in the first half of spring. However, make sure that the area where you want to grow this useful plant does not stagnate - the soil should be moist, not wet.

A nice bonus is that calendula is a self-sowing species. The seeds of the plant that fall to the ground germinate by themselves the next year.

Calendula flowers can also be used to make a fragrant tea with anti-inflammatory properties. It is healthy to drink it during colds and flu to speed up recovery.

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