As you’re dreaming of and planning your garden for spring, we want to let you in on a little secret. Mum is no longer the word. It’s the pest control plant made perfectly for your tomatoes and herbs! Chrysanthemums come in a variety of shapes of colors, but most people don’t know just how useful they can be!
Chrysanthemums contain a natural chemical called Pyrethrin. It’s toxic to insects but won’t harm birds or mammals.
In order to get the most out of the Pyrethrin in your mums, plant 1 to 2 feet from the plants you most treasure and are most plagued by bugs. This can be done sporadically if your plants are spread out, or they can be planted in a row as a sort of guard wall against insects.
If you find that insects are bypassing your efforts, you can also steep the flowers in hot water, and once cooled, use a spray bottle to spritz plants.
Chrysanthemums are not a 100% deterrent for pests. Since mammals are unaffected by the flower, squirrels, raccoons, and other pests are likely to still have a dinner party courtesy of your vegetable garden.
Command is here for any pest problem, big or small, especially if fried green tomatoes are at stake!
