| I understand marigolds planted around tomatoes help keep bugs away. Are there any other flowers or herbs that help, or help produce more tomatoes. |
| Tomatoes are variously said to like: marigolds, nasturtiums, sage, garlic, basil, and milkweed. There are probably others that have been listed one place or another as well. You might want to look into the concept of companion planting which examines these types of relationships. Companion planting means growing a planned diversity of veggies, herbs and ornamentals together. Pest control is the aim, but it can also include better space and nutrient efficiency. Put companions to work in your garden by arranging them as borders or mix them with the veggies in your rows and beds. Beneficial insects, like parasitic wasps or predaceous flies depend on pests for nourishment. Attractant plants offer an alternative food source for beneficials when pests are in short supply. Many of these attractant food plants are members of the carrot and daisy families. They have tiny flowers to provide the pollen and nectar that maintain beneficials. Encourage these little insects by mixing flowering plants among your veggies. Some good choices are: angelica, anise, dill, fennel, yarrow and zinnias. Other plants like tansy, mint, basil, thyme and santolina will repel pests from vegetables planted nearby. Mix and match to see which combo works best for you. Marigolds are said to control root-feeding nematodes. Plant them thickly as a cover crop and turn them into the soil at the end of the season. There are many books on the subject, including: Carrots Love Tomatoes, by Louise Riotte (Garden Way Publishing, 1976) A-Z of Companion Planting, by Pamela Allardice (Angus & Robertson/Harper Collins Publishing, 1993) Good Companions, by Bob Flowerdew (Summit Books/Simon & Schuster, 1991) Companion planting is just one of the ways to reduce the pest population in your garden. By keeping your plants healthy and happy, you'll make them less susceptible to insect and disease problems. Plant your veggies in a sunny site, in well amended soil. Water and feed regularly, and inspect your plants frequently, removing any leaves that look diseased. |
