Companion planting and good bugs

I've been doing lots of research, like seeing what bugs I got problems with, what bugs like my type of plants and what good bugs I can put/attract into my garden to eat up the bad bugs or help with pollination so thought I'd list this to help others and also at the same time get some more information from those of you in the know that might want to add here.

Chives, garlic, peppermint, baskil, rosemary, borage, marigolds and pansys and petunias are all good in the vegetable garden. As are lady bugs, bees, mantis, lacewigs and wasps.

Now here is what goes with what and what does what.

We will start with borage plant, as it helps keep my arch enemy (the tomato horn worm) off my favorite plant (the tomato). Aphids are a pure nuisance, so, peppermint will repel them while repeling flea beetles and cabbage moths also. Chives also repel aphids and spider mites. Basil will take care of the mosqitoes and flies, also not leaving standing water around will help with the mosquitoes also.

Planting carrots and cabbage this fall? Don't forget to plant some rosemary and sage they repel cabbage moths, carrot flies and bean beetles.

Radishes are tasty but they also will drive out any cucumber beetles, squash bugs and stink bugs. So; before you plant cukes or squash remember to plant some radishes also. I had a terrible time with stink bugs this past summer.

Are you container growing because of root knot nematodes eating away at your tomato roots? Just plant a lot of marigolds and then till them under. They also can take care of the cursed thrips, squash bugs, bean beetles, tomato hornwoms and are beneficial to tomatoes, potatoes and strawberries.

If you are planning on planting potatoes, tomatoes, squash or other vining crops, don't forget to plant some nasturtium around those plants, it will repel the colorado potato bug, white flies and squash bugs.

Got slugs? Plant artemisia or wormwood.

You want ladybugs, lacewigs, praying mantis, wasps and bees into your garden. The first 4 eat the bad bugs the last one are great pollinators. Now how do you get them into your vegetable garden? Plant some pansies or perennial yarrow.
Happy Gardening
joy

Lots of good info Joy, thanks!

thanks for bringing this up again, joy. i thought someone had started this thread before. i practice this, and it works. nasturtiums are my favorite plants now, and they are everywhere. all parts of the plant is edible. leaves may be used like spinach: raw or cooked. great in pesto in lieu of basil. flowers are also great in salads and in BLTs, replacing L, of course!

earlier last week, I used nasturtium leaves and flowers in Bacon Wrapped Chicken dish. flowers and leaves (peppery) cut the richness of the entree.

Thank you and what a beautiful pic, like I said, you should get some pics out to the cover of some of those food mags, they'd gobble up your pics girl. I'm also researching what not to plant next to each other, I already knew that corn and tomatoes did not get along; and that corn and cukes did; but there is a lot of other things, seems beans and peas are picky about what is around them too. And tomatoes love carrots and onions near by.
joy

Thanks Annapet.....I just chipped my tooth trying to take a bite out of my monitor.

I've always been a little leery about planting other things in a SWC. Worried they would steal water, nutrients and space from my veggie plants. I'll give it a try in a few boxes next year(maybe) :)

Here's some links on companion planting....

http://www.ghorganics.com/page2.html
http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/vegetables/vcomp.asp
http://www.gardensimply.com/comchart.shtml
http://www.howtogardenadvice.com/garden_info/companion_gardening.html

Very good information, everyone! Thanks!

So, Ray, how do you think your team will do this year?
Ray_Vens_Phan

Eesh....I'm afraid to say. I'm hoping for 7-8 wins, which would be a huge improvement from the past 5 years. It's possible with their schedule. I definitely think they'll be in 2nd place in the West. Broncos and Chiefs are gonna struggle a lot. Unfortunately, the Raiders are still a year or 2 away from even thinking about the playoffs. Crucial year for Jamarcus. Ray_Der's play Ray_Ven's last week of the season. We could steal that game if you guys have already locked up a playoff spot :)

This message was edited Aug 17, 2009 3:10 PM

Ray: They don't have to be in the same container. How about a container right next to the EB? Spices can go in small containers that are kept close by the EB. From the pics you have shown us, it doesn't look like you have too many problems with bugs, just enormous veggies. LOL We have had thunderstorm, after thunderstorm and now the bugs are all coming back again - groan. I'll be glad when fall gets here, my eggplants are just starting to look good again and bear another crop, my peppers too, and now the bugs are gonna show back up. Thanks for the links.
joy

Hi Joy

I love this information. I've referred all the newbie's making Lasagna gardens for veggies here.

Thanks for the research!


I've chipped my tooth as well Moonglow. LOL

hello, everyone. we've been quiet.

NASTURTIUMS deter SQUASH BUGS, among other things. ray_der_phan's links, covered this.

We're still looking for the off switch on these EBs Moonglow. LOL

wow, that's gorgeous! i bet you can't keep up eating them. canning now?

LOL Roasting and freezing. Making sauce etc. I'm using the giant okra (yes there are plenty) for a layer in my lasagna garden. Nothing like looking out in the morning and seeing more okra blooms. Almost a nightmare. LOL Even the bugs are tired of it all. My new name is "dancing for frost". :)

Seray: That is a nice haul there.
joy

Thanks Joy. I guess I'm crazy I just planted broccoli and kale. One EB of tomatoes is just starting to turn red. LOL

Very nice Seray! Great looking Romas. What are the cherry toms in the back? The Bigger red ones in the back and to the right?

Thanks Ray

The cherry's in the back are 'Sugary'. They're pretty good. Last year the skins were thin. This year not so much. More than likely the rain at the beginning of the year. Roma's in front. They're a hybrid Mariana F1 and the others are Celebrity. Our old standby. :)

Seray: mY maters have stopped producing pretty much and I have eggplant, peppers and okra still producing and just planted my fall garden, still got lots to do; but, it's underway anyways. Your haul looks so good.
joy