Is there anything more annoying than trying to relax in your garden, only to immediately start hearing a buzzing sound around your head? It's that time of the year when flies will be invading our gardens and homes, meaningmany people will be getting out their swatters or their buzzers.

However, you don't actually need to rely on these to chase these pests from your green space, as there are five herbs you can plant that will ward them away. And after they've stopped the flies from bothering you, you can then use these herbs in your cooking, making the decision to plant them an immediate win-win. Writing in Southern Living, housekeeping and gardening expert Mary Marlowe Leverette has shared a number of herbs that will deter flies from your garden.

Basil

Thanks to its strong smell, basil can help deter flies, mosquitoes, aphids, and mites from your garden. Mary advised that you can even plant basil in the mid-summer period, which will keep it blooming well into autumn.

Another benefit of basil is that it can be grown both inside and outside, so if you keep some growing in your kitchen, it'll help keep flies out and be in a handy location when you're cooking.

Sage

Sage isn't just for cleansing your home from evil spirits, growing it can also keep flies out of your garden.

Flies aren't particuarly fond of the strong scent of sage, nor the oil it releases. Both of these make it difficult for the flies to navigate and sense where food is located.

Mary points out that many pesticide-free insect repellents will have peppermint oil as a key ingredient. But instead of purchasing these, why not simply grow some mint in the garden yourself?

When it comes to growing this herb, she advises: "Mint spreads rapidly so use a container or keep it in check by thinning it regularly. It's easy to grow new plants from cuttings, division, or transplants."

Just ensure you are harvesting the leaves often, otherwise the plants may become leggy.

Rosemary

Rosemary's needle-like foliage will deter flies from your garden, and will have the surrounding area smelling sublime.

The herb is another plant that can also be grown indoors, so just place it near some windows or doors to prevent flies from making their way into your home.

Lavender

While humans may find the smell of lavender quite relaxing, the opposite is true for flies, mosquitoes, fleas, and moths, who all dislike the flower's sweet scent.