By Pat Dray
The Garden Spot
Pat Dray
Most of us are exposed to pesticides in our daily lives – through bug sprays, lawn treatments, pet flea and tick products and even in the foods we eat. Scientists have not determined a safe level of exposure, but you can easily lower pesticide risks at home by using integrated pest management strategies.
Not all insects are pests; about 95 percent of insects are beneficial in some way. We can use that knowledge to improve the health of our gardens.
This column will cover companion planting. Companion planting is the practice of growing certain plants near each other so they help one another. Companion planting primarily attracts or repels insects and pests. It amazes me that these plants evolved to protect themselves and their “companions.”
Let’s start by discussing how to attract beneficial insects. Beneficial insects are those that eat harmful ones, such as aphids and caterpillars. Aphids are one of the most destructive plant insects, eating the plant roots and causing the plant to shrivel and die. They are tiny, pin head sized insects that feed on plants in the crucifer family, such as cabbage, collards, kale, turnips, mustard, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and radish. Check the underside of leaves for clusters or sticky residue.
One way to reduce aphids in the garden is by attracting the ladybug. Ladybugs are one of the most common beneficial insects, and even in the larval stage, eat aphids. Along with eating insects, ladybugs also look for pollen for a food source, so there are numerous plants you can grow to help attract them. Flowers and herbs such as cilantro, dill, fennel, caraway, yarrow, tansy, angelica, scented geraniums, coreopsis and cosmos are good choices for luring the ladybug. Plant any of them to attract this beneficial insect and reduce aphids.
You can also use several strategies to repel and/or attract pests away from the garden. Certain plants, such as marigolds and garlic, emit scents that deter pests. Aromatic plants confuse the pests and make it harder for pests to “find” a crop. An example of this is planting basil with your tomatoes. The basil will also attract pollinators if you allow it to flower.
Radishes can act as a trap for striped cucumber beetles when planted near cucumbers, squash and melons. Plant nasturtiums as a trap crop near brassicas such as (broccoli and cauliflower.
You can also plant a small “sacrifice” area of pest-attracting plants to draw them away from your garden. A small patch of brassicas (as sacrificial plants) – can draw pests that love the crucifer family (like aphids and some caterpillars) away from your “main” brassica crop.
Try these various methods to reduce your pesticide usage and enjoy your planting season.
Pat Dray is a past president of the Garden Club of Orange and a master gardener.