Tiny green or black insects are invisible thieves that lives on the underside of tomato leaves, feeding on plant itself. Seeing your vines dieback may leave you feeling helpless, but by working with natural ecological processes, you can tackle this issue through use of certain plant pairings (shown in the infographic above) that form an automatic defense system.
Gardeners know: Basil and tomatoes is a classic combination. Why? Basil’s strong odor confuses insect pests such as hornworms and aphids, which can’t smell the tomato foliage through all that other aroma. Not magic; chemistry. In fact the chart show that basil are an effective pest repellent. To trick the insects, grow some basil near the tomatoes to throw off their sense of direction. Disorientation equals no good, too, since you don’t have to kill each bug. Just make him think he’s elsewhere by confusing his nose.
Use Other Plants to Stop Bugs
Growing them alongside veggies (especially squash) will also help with pest prevention. Marigolds emit substances to deter root-knot nematodes, those microscopic worm that stunt growth and turn foliage yellow. You’ll only know they’re around after the damage is done; marigolds take care of what lurks beneath while you deal with stuff up top. Research shows marigolds triple the number of beneficial insect compared to non-marigold gardens… A self-policing eco-system in your garden.
It’s not as simple as putting things anywhere and hoping for the best, you can’t just throw together random combinations of plants and expect them to perform well. The visual guide outlines a simple process: Prepare your soil, plan your zones, and then place your main crops. Only after that do you adds the companions. That way the helpers; whether acting as protection from pests (above) or otherwise, are already growing strong by the time the threats appear. If all is sown simultaneously, the little guys could of become overrun and overgrown by big ones. Overgrown plants gets stressed. This makes them stink to pests because stressed plant emit chemicals. These chemicals make it clear there’s no need to hide (there’s an easy meal here).
Another no-no is ignoring the plants’ soil preference. Before you dig, double-check their light and pH requirements. Roses and lavender needs similar conditions (both like full sun and well-drained soil), and lavender help by repelling rose pests such as whiteflies and aphids. But lavender will fry and die in heat of heavy wet clay; if you lose the lavender, you also lose the pest protection it provides your roses. Chives and basil grow best in slightly different conditions, and chives can also help protect carrots against carrot fly with adequate spacing. How much? Usually a six-inch gap is sufficient, but it depends on how vigorously your chive grow.
Gardening isn’t set-it-and-forget-it; it’s pay-attention. Watch what’s happening, and if you notice that certain pests. Like aphids… Return, bring in some extra nasturtiums (or mint). If flea beetles chew up your eggplant, think about adding some catnip next year to the mix. Start with a couple of combinations and expand as you discover which work best in your particular microclimate, building a stronger system over time. The idea is to create a strong team, so when the pests arrive, they departs before causing any serious harm. After all, it’s about growing a community where every part plays its role, and together, they are stronger.