Mint (anti-aphid)

[jessox80]

Aphids suck. I hear that they are repelled by mint, so I started planting some around my trellis. Has anyone used this technique before? Will a few patches make a difference?

 

[idahobrew]

I've seen aphids on mint so I wouldn't trust that approach, the most natural way to get rid of these pests is ladybugs. You can buy them from your local gardening store. 4 or 5 bucks for 1000 ladybugs last time I bought I believe, follow instructions for releasing them, if you have aphids they'll stick around till they're gone. Also aphids don't like garlic!

 

[badbrew]

I'd spray seven. As long as the plant isn't flowering you should be o.k.

 

[wrench]

I'd be more worried about the mint running a-muck in your hop yard than the aphids. "Spreads like a weed" doesn't even begin to describe mint.

+1 ladybugs

 

[cram]

Yeah, be careful with mint as it spreads like wildfire. You might be better off planting the mint in pots to contain in because once it establishes itself it will be everywhere. I grow mint for culinary uses and have to cut it back a couple time of year because of bugs, aphids usually.

 

[Grippe]

Marigolds.

 

[mccumath]

Going to plant some chives, rosemary, cilantro, and basil near my first attempts at growing rhizomes. All of these herbs taste awesome, deter several types of insects (i.e. aphids) and are used in a bunch of culinary dishes. Seems like a win-win to me.

 

[ASublimeDay]

I container-grow mint and it tries to grow out of the pot, down to the soil, and spread around the container. Stubborn SOB

 

[jessox80]

Thanks for setting me straight, it turns out catnip is the only mint that will repel aphids. Steeping fresh catnip in a watering can will work as well, from what I've read. Since mint is the only thing I can legally grow to remind me of Amsterdam (loved the fresh mint tea there), I guess I will change the location of my cilantro and basil & plant some chives nearby as well.
I used a weak hot-pepper-and-water solution last year to rid me of the filthy buggers, but want to take preventative measures this time.