A well-tended asparagus bed will produce tasty, succulent spears for many years.
Asparagus is a long-lived perennial plant that sports dainty, feathery foliage and delicate, edible stems. Unfortunately, the warm, moist growing conditions that foster healthy asparagus growth tends to draw unwelcome garden guests, such as mosquitoes. These bothersome creatures can make working in the garden a complete nightmare; however, many of the most successful repellents can be toxic to pets, plants and people. To deter garden mosquitoes without harming asparagus or other plants, use a variety of natural treatments. Mosquitoes use their senses to locate appropriate hosts; the aroma of many strongly-scented substances can block their sensory receptors, effectively discouraging the presence of mosquitoes while posing no threat to the surrounding environment. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Remove any containers filled with standing water. Search the garden and yard for any potential water sources, then drain any bird baths, fountains, buckets, bowls or pails. Pools of stagnant water are prime mosquito breeding grounds.
2. Surround the asparagus bed with highly-fragrant, mosquito repellent plants such as marigolds, catnip, lemon grass, rosemary or basil. For the greatest effect, use a variety of plants as the succession of blooms will provide more thorough coverage.
3. Pour 1/3 cup lemon-flavored vodka, 1/3 cup lemon ammonia and 1/3 cup lemon juice into a plastic spray bottle. Shake the bottle gently to combine the ingredients, then spray the solution evenly over the asparagus spears once every two weeks from May through September. Mosquitoes are naturally deterred by the strong citrus scent.
4. Install bat houses around the perimeter of the property. According to the extension office in Hendry County, Florida, a single one of these flying mammals can eat up to 600 mosquitoes in per hour. If bats are a bit too creepy, install martin houses, instead. While martins are not quite as efficient as bats, they are effective and much less frightening.
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