Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
aphids for instance; in order to encourage the aphids to attack this plant rather than the one
you are promoting.
Marigolds for instance attract the hoverfly, who's larvae eat aphids from carrots or toma-
toes.
Nasturtiums are a classic example of this, and they are widely used to draw away aphids
and other destructive pests. For this reason Nasturtiums are often referred to as sacrificial
or Martyr plants, as they suffer in order to protect others.
These will be cover fuller in the examples below this article, where plants that grow well
together, will be listed alongside the reasons why this is the case.
It is generally accepted amongst organic growers that planting masses of the same veget-
able in long rows or concentrations is a bad idea. This is because by doing so you are at-
tracting the predators of that one species from miles around - a bit like hanging a sign up
and saying 'come and get me!'
Best practice is to intersperse your crops with herbs and/or flowers that protect your crop
by disguising the smells and sights that attract the insects.
