At this time of year aphids can be a real problem. There are sprays you can get from the garden centre to kill or repel aphids, but most people want to steer clear of using chemicals on edibles. So here are a few alternative tips. 

• Try companion planting – marigolds and nasturtiums are said to repel aphids. Zinnias, dill and coriander will attract aphid-eating lady bugs. Alyssum and parsley will attract hoverflies – their larvae are predators of aphids
• This citrus spray is said to repel aphids
• Your local garden centre should also sell pyrethrum sprays and neem oil
• A lot of gardeners just use a strong stream of water from a hose to blast them off
• Heather from Ashburton throws some of the water from the washing machine over her roses which also helps reduce the use of water
• Linda plants garlic cloves at the base of her roses and has never had a problem with aphids
• Murray from Stratford uses Combat 3 in 1 For Roses which is a bee-friendly rose and ornamental spray with an insecticide, fungicide and natural fish fertiliser
• Sandy from Waikato keeps an ‘eagle eye’ and squashes them (with gloves on!) the moment she sees them. She says the trick is to never walk past them as there will be twice as many when you return
• Annette from Waikane who boils up banana skins, strains the liquid off and adds a little vegetable oil to make it stick. She then sprays directly onto affected plants every couple of days. And like, Sandy, she manually squashes any aphids she finds