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Companion Planting
In nature a balanced system consists of
thousands of diverse plants and animals
at work. When we garden we tend to
choose only a few botanical favourites
based on scent or colour. We neglect to
choose plants based on their ability to
support beneficial insects and
organisms. As a result we throw off
the balance, providing pests an
opportunity to boom and continue the
treadmill approach to pest management.
Consider a long term strategy by
choosing plants for the characteristics
that encourage insect diversity.
Companion planting is based on the positive effects plants
can share as a method of deterring pests, acquiring
nutrients or acting as an attractant for natural predators.
By becoming more diverse with your plantings you are
providing habitat, shelter and alternative food source, such
as pollen and nectar, something many predators need as part
of their diet.
This
method of planting is not a 21st century trend
but a practice that has been incorporated since the dawn of
agriculture. It has only fallen out of practice in the last
20 years because for a time there was a trend to have
immaculate, symmetrical gardens. During that period much
of the gardening lore passed down by generations of
grandparents was lost. Each one of us surely has a story of
how Grampa would always place his tomatoes next to the
carrots to ward off the Carrot fly or onions next to the
roses to prevent black spot. These tips are not to be
dismissed as they come from years of trial and error and
observation.
The Pocket Insectary
Trap
Crops also fit into the realm of companion planting. Though
the process may go against a traditional gardeners nature
you must place your faith in The Bug Lady and understand the
logic.
The
concept is to plant a species of plant susceptible to a
specific pest to act as a lure for beneficial insects, such
as Lupines. The Lupine aphid (macrosiphum albifrons)
is specific to Lupines and will not transfer onto your
peppers or cabbage. The sacrificial plant is allowed to
have a colony of aphids establish. Once the host plant
achieves a pest colony the parasitic wasps and predators
will also move onto the Lupine as well. Voila, a pocket
insectary. The Lupine provides a source of predators
without threatening the intentional crop. By situating the
trap plants around gardens which typically suffer from
aphids, you are actually protecting your gardens by
providing an established security force.
It is
important that when you attempt to apply this method using
other plants as the trap crop that you confirm the pest
species is host specific. Obtain this information through a
reliable source. A search through our links is a good
place to start.
The
Following list has been gathered from; Common Sense Pest
Control by William and Helga Olkowski and Shiela Daar,
Rodales Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, Cornell
University and Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural
Areas.
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Predator |
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Host pests |
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Associated Companion plants |
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Aphidoletes |
Aphids |
Dill, Mustard, Thyme,
Sweet clover |
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Braconid Wasp |
Armyworm
Cabbageworm
Codling moth
Gypsy moth
Beetle Larvae
Flies |
Nectar
plants with small flowers.
Caraway, Parsley, Fennel, Mustard,
Clover, Tansy, Yarrow. |
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Damsel Bugs |
Aphid, Thrips
Leafhopper
Treehopper
Small caterpillars |
Sunflower, Goldenrod, Yarrow, Alfalfa |
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Groundbeetles |
Slugs, snails
Cutworm,
Cabbage maggot
Some small caterpillars |
Aamaranth, sweet clover, mulches,
groundcovers |
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Lacewing |
Aphids, Thrips,
Mealybug, Scale
Caterpillars, mites |
Angelica, Caraway, Dill, Coreopsis
Cosmos, Sunflowers, Dandelion |
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Minute Pirate Bug
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Thrips, Spidermite
Leafhopper,
Earworm,
Small Caterpillars |
Bishops weed, Chevril, Tansy,
Queen Annes Lace, Strawberries,
Carrots, Corn, Hairy Vetch, Daisies,
Nemophila, Coriander |
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Rove Beetles |
Aphids, flies, Springtails |
Rye, Ornamental grasses, mulches |
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Stethorus |
Spidermites |
Carrots, Dill, Fennel, Sweet
Alyssum, Candytuft |
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Syrphid Fly |
Aphids |
Dill,
Fennel, Queen Annes Lace
Coriander, Bishops weed, Tansy
Lupines, Scabiosa, California
Lilac,Ceanothus, Sunflowers |
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Tachinid Fly |
Cutworms, Tent
Caterpillars, Cabbage
Looper, Sawfly,
Sowbugs |
Caraway, Bishops weed, Goldenrod
Sweet Alyssum, Parsley, Buckwheat |
Trap Crops for Aphids:
Lupine
Dill
Timothy Grass
Nasturums
Valerian
Trap crops for Thrips:
Shasta Daisy
Sunflowers
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