There is evidence that the roots of African marigolds (T. Instead the odor may have masking properties when placed around the garden. ) may not actually have the long touted pest repellent powers from its odor based on research. Alyssum prefers partial shade and can be planted beneath vegetables such as onions or taller nightshade family plants. On hatching, their voracious larvae will feed on numerous plant pests. Adult lacewings feed on alyssum pollen and nectar, then lay their eggs. It is highly attractive to natural predators such as lady beetles, hoverflies and parasitic wasps, as well as green lacewings. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is an example of a companion plant that blooms throughout the growing season and has numerous, small flowers containing pollen and nectar to attract and support beneficial insects. There is also evidence that nasturtium may work in a similar way against cucumber beetles. Because squash is a large, sprawling plant, if space is limited it might be best to try bush varieties of nasturtium around the squash versus interplanting vining varieties. Some suggest that this benefit may also apply to winter squash varieties. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus), an attractive annual loved by pollinators, has been found in studies to decrease squash bugs and reduce squash damage when planted as a trapping crop with zucchini squash. Radishes are also recommended for cucumber beetle control. The radishes can attract the flea beetles while the eggplants get larger and become better able to withstand the inevitable attack of flea beetles. Radishes, favored by this pest, are a cool-season plant that grows well from seed and can be planted weeks ahead of eggplant seedlings that prefer warmer temperatures. The roots and tender leaves of eggplant seedlings are especially vulnerable to flea beetle damage. Radishes (Raphanus sativus) are recommended as a trapping plant to reduce flea beetle damage on vegetables. Some research has shown that basil can also serve as a masking plant companion with tomatoes to discourage thrips and to reduce egg-laying behaviors by the adult armyworm. It is recommended for pairing with tomatoes to limit egg-laying behaviors of adult moths whose leaf-eating larvae are known as tomato and tobacco hornworms. Numerous other combinations are described in the reference publications.īasil (Ocimum basilicum) is often recommended as a companion to vegetables to overcome both insects and disease and attract parasitoids after blooming. The following examples are referenced in multiple sources as effective companion plants to help with pest management in the home vegetable garden. Along with providing food, companion plants can provide a breeding area for beneficial insects that serve as predators or parasitoids. Companion plants can serve as food sources for beneficial insect predators or parasitoids to attract and sustain them as they search for pests. Some vegetables can be used as sacrificial trap or decoy plants to attract and draw pests away from other plants. Some strongly scented herbs or flowers emit odors that repel pests or mask the scent of a pest’s target vegetable causing pests to seek food elsewhere. It also lists other potential benefits of companion planting and gives some tips and cautions if you decide to try it out.Ĭompanion plants can help with pest management in several ways. This article summarizes how companion plants can help with pest management in the vegetable garden and provides a few example pairings to consider. Nonetheless, more studies are being done and as stated in Rodale’s Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, “evidence from scientific studies and gardeners’ experimentation indicates several ways in which companion planting works.” However, it’s important to separate folklore or anecdotal evidence from facts in companion planting as most agree that more research is needed to improve our understanding of the complex interactions in various plant pairings and to verify the benefits, as well as potential drawbacks. In her book, Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening, the late Louise Riotte, longtime practitioner and advocate of companion planting, describes companion plants as “plants that assist each other to grow well, plants that repel insects, even plants that repel other plants.”Ĭompanion planting, long used in traditional agriculture, is much discussed in gardening circles and literature.
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