Can Oatmeal Help Keep Pests Out Of Your Garden? Here's What We Know

The process of starting a new garden involves several important factors, all focused on creating powerful biodiversity. Questions for new gardeners include how to choose the best layout to make a thriving vegetable garden, with a focus on expelling pests. One way to both get rid of bugs and slugs while also gathering important nutrients for your garden is to add oatmeal to your soil.

The value of the grain is the fact that it is natural and non-toxic, unlike some other pesticides, which can be harmful if they make their way into your water source. Oatmeal, when digested by slugs, will expand, killing the invasive pests. While it does attract critters, the right amount will effectively deter bugs and act as natural fertilizer. The household breakfast item is also rich in iron, an element researchers at Tennessee State University say is vital for any plant nursery. Another way to add similar nutrients while avoiding inorganic chemicals is by using coffee grounds in your garden.

When it comes to oatmeal, too much of a good thing is a bad thing, with the amount of the grain added to your garden directly impacting several factors. Part of the value in adding oatmeal to your garden is the fact that it will attract slugs while killing them in the process. With this being said, if you add too much of the grain, it can attract animals that are too large to be affected by its expansion. These include birds, deer, and even raccoons. Adding oats is ideal for enticing birds to flock to your feeder, but less so for your garden.

The key in this situation is moderation, as adding too many oats will cause soggy and clumpy soil, particularly if you overwater your garden bed. Another key is to avoid using quick oats, as they will soak up water rapidly and become soggy. Oats have also long been seen as having medicinal value, particularly for gardeners who may encounter poison oak or poison ivy. One popular home remedy for poison ivy involves soaking in a bath of finely ground oatmeal to help relieve irritation.