From Lee Content this morning:
PLANTING MARIGOLDS
Marigolds are easy to grow and they help keep the away aphids. “The relationship between plants and insects is known as ‘companion planting.’ its by far the safest, natural way to garden organically.”
SHERIDAN NURSERIES GARDEN TIP gives you tips on Plants That Naturally Repel Insects: There are many beneficial herbs that keep insects away.
- Peppermint repels ants, white cabbage moths, aphids, and flea beetles.
- Garlic discourages aphids, fleas, Japanese beetles, and spider mites.
- Perennial Chives repel aphids and spider mites.
- Chives are often planted among roses to keep aphids away and to resist the disease, Blackspot.
- Basil drives away flies and mosquitoes.
- Borage deters that monster of vegetable garden insects, the tomato hornworm.
- Rosemary and Sage repel cabbage moths, bean beetles, and carrot flies.
- Annual Marigolds can be used anywhere to deter Mexican bean beetles, squash bugs, thrips, tomato hornworms, and whiteflies. They are also known to repel harmful root knot nematodes (soil dwelling microscopic white worms) that attack tomatoes, potatoes, roses, and strawberries. The root of the Marigold produces a chemical that kills nematodes as they enter the soil. If a whole area is infested, at the end of the season, turn the Marigolds under so the roots will decay in the soil. You can safely plant there again the following spring.
- Nasturtium is another annual, in this case a trailing vine, that keeps away Colorado potato bugs, squash bugs, and whiteflies.
- The perennial, Artemisia or Wormwood, deters slugs that are so devastating to foliage.
- Radishes can be planted to discourage cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and stink bugs.
Attracting Good Insects To Your Garden:
Plant certain vegetables, herbs, or flowers in your garden to attract predatory insects that will feed on the harmful, undesirable ones.
Perennial Yarrow…attracts ladybugs that consume masses of aphids. The lacewing that feeds on aphids, mealy bugs, mites, and scale needs lots of pollen from flowers and evergreens for shelter. Wasps and bees are also beneficial to the garden. Even the prehistoric-looking preying mantis is a friend, so don’t discourage it from visiting. When you create a natural balance in your garden you’ll discover how much better everything grows and you won’t need to worry about damaging the environment. They also suggest Ideal Planting Companions for Vegetables: The following is a list of vegetables and their ideal planting companions, plus combinations to avoid:
- Beans-like celery and cucumbers but dislike onions and fennel.
- Beets are compatible with bush beans, lettuce, onions, kohlrabi, and most members of the cabbage family. Keep pole beans and mustard away from them.
- Cabbage, celery, dill, onions, and potatoes are good companion plants. Dislikes include strawberries, tomatoes, and pole beans.
- Carrots, lettuce, radish, onions, and tomatoes are friends. Dill isn’t, so plant it at the other end of the garden.
- Corn prefers to be near pumpkins, peas, beans, cucumbers, and potatoes. Keep tomatoes away.
- Cucumbers like sweet corn, peas, radishes, beans, and sunflowers. Dislikes include aromatic herbs and potatoes.
- Lettuce grows especially well with onions. They are also compatible with strawberries, carrots, radishes, and cucumbers.
- Onions can be planted near lettuce, beetroot, strawberries, and tomatoes but keep well away from peas and beans.
- Peas, carrots, cucumbers, sweet corn, turnips, radishes, beans, potatoes, and aromatic herbs are good companions. Keep peas away from onions, garlic, leek, and shallots.
- Radish grows well with beetroot, carrots, spinach, parsnip, cucumbers, and beans. Avoid planting near cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or turnips.
- Squash can be planted with cucumbers and corn.
- Tomatoes, carrots, onions, and parsley are good companion plants. Basil improves growth and flavor. Keep cabbage and cauliflower away from them.
http://toadstoolponds.wordpress.com/2007/12/07/why-plant-marigolds-in-your-vegetable-garden/
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