16 planting ideas for a better garden

Here are 16 plants to use strategically for a healthier garden.

■ Lavender repels slugs.

■ Basil repels aphids, flies, mosquitoes and mites; also has fungicidal properties. Plant around tomatoes to repel hornworms.

■ Catnip repels ants, fleas and mosquitoes.

■ Plant tomatoes around asparagus to repel asparagus beetles, and around roses to help prevent black spot. Keep away from cabbage, fennel and potatoes.

■ Oregano repels cucumber beetle.

■ Borage repels tomato worms.

■ Onion repels ants, aphids, borers and moles. Also discourages black spot on roses. Plant around carrots, beets, strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce and cabbage, but avoid around beans, parsley, peas and leeks.

■ Rosemary deters cabbage moth, bean beetles and carrot fly.

■ Petunia repels aphids, leafhoppers and Mexican bean beetles.

■ Thyme deters cabbage worms and slugs.

■ Nasturtium repels aphids, spider mites and whiteflies. Plant around fruit trees, cucumbers, squash and tomatoes (for improved flavor).

■ Mint repels aphids, cabbage moths and cabbage worms. Plant in containers, though, or it will take over your garden.

■ Plant radish around cucumbers and squash to trap beetles.

■ Pests (aphids, bean beetles and others) find the scent of marigolds repulsive, so plant them throughout the vegetable garden. French and African varieties eliminate nematodes from the soil.

■ Chamomile repels cabbage moths.

■ Plant chives around roses and lettuce to repel aphids.