Hey everyone! I've been trying to grow veggies on my balcony for three years now, but I keep facing a major issue with aphids. This year, I've noticed at least four different types of aphids attacking my radish, carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes. I've already tried planting garlic and lavender, and even used a store-bought remedy as well as a DIY mix of vinegar, soap, and water. While the aphids do seem to die off temporarily, it feels like I'm stuck in a cycle of dealing with a new infestation every week. I check my plants daily to ensure no new ones are around. I live on the second floor, and my neighbor on the ground floor has plants but doesn't seem to have the same aphid problem. I wonder if the windiness of my balcony could be contributing to this issue. What can I do differently next year, or even now, to prevent these pests from coming back?
3 Answers
I deal with aphids occasionally too, and what usually works for me is just spraying them off the leaves with a hose every few days. Make sure to get both sides of the leaves since that’s where they like to hang out. If you can't use a hose, a pump sprayer should do the trick! Just keep at it for a few days in a row to really knock them out.
I grow my veggies in Earthboxes, and I’ve found that planting marigolds and nasturtiums around them keeps aphids away. I've seen great results this year with no aphid issues. Marigolds were particularly effective! Maybe consider adding more of those next year?
I actually have one marigold in a pot, but I guess I need to plant more in between my veggies next year!
It sounds like your plants might be experiencing some stress, which can attract pests like aphids. Because your balcony is on the second floor, your plants could be prone to hotter soil and drier roots compared to those at ground level. Consider watering more consistently to alleviate some of that stress!
So you think just more watering might make a difference?
Good tip! I check for ants too since they love the honeydew aphids produce. I’ll make sure to spray often!