With all the rain Stapleton has had last fall and this year, there is a lot of concern about mosquitos. Don’t spend our short but glorious summers being held captive inside by mosquitos. Oils found in certain types of plants, especially herbs, are natural mosquito deterrents that will help keep your garden mosquito-free. You can place them in pots or in the ground to create mosquito free zones and/or make your own natural repellant by crushing the leaves with a mortar and pestle to release the oils and then adding it to vodka, another mosquito repellant. Let the mixture sit for 12 hours. Once infused, add your natural repellent to a spray bottle and use as you would any store-bought mosquito repellent.

Here is a list of plants that have been proven to repel mosquitoes.

HERBS

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Basil (Ocimum basilicum), especially Sacred, Lemon, Lime & Cinnamon Basil

Thyme (Thymus)

Lavendar (Lavandula angustifolia)

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Garlic (Allium sativum)

ANNUALS

Marigolds (Tagetes species)

GRASSES

Citronella Grass (Cymbopogon nardus)

Sarah Christian is a registered landscape architect with 18 years of experience. She owns and operates Urban Gardens, Inc. Sarah has lived in Stapleton for 12 years with her husband and two teenage children. For more information visit www.urbangardensinc.com.