We're back with another Blog Post about the benefits of adding flowers to your vegetable garden. This week we're talking about Attracting Beneficial Insects to Your Garden with Flowers. There are many beneficial insects such as ladybugs, praying mantis, ground beetles, parasitic wasps and spiders to name some and many times they can help combat pests in the garden!
Protecting Brassicas: Kale, Cabbage, Collards, Brussel Sprouts etc.
When it comes to the Brassica family. The main pests I've seen are Cabbage Larvae, Cabbage Moths and Flea Beetles.
When it comes to the best beneficial bugs to attract to help combat these pests - parasitic wasps, spiders and ladybugs are the best to attract. The best plants to attract these beneficial insects are: Sweet Alyssum, Yarrow, Marigolds, Cosmos, Zinnias and herbs like Dill, Cilantro and Borage.
Amaranthaceae (Spinach) Family
For the Amaranthaceae (Spinach) Family the main pests I've seen are leaf miners. I first thought it was sun scald on the leaves but now I know it was leaf miner damage.
Leaf Miner Damage
When it comes to beneficial insects to attract to help combat the best ones are Parasitic Wasps. So plant Dill, Fennel, Queen Anne's Lace, Marigolds, Borage and Cilantro.
Apiaceae (Carrot Family)
When it comes to Carrots and even celery and Parsnips one of the common pests is Carrot Root Fly. These flies lay eggs near the carrots. Then the eggs become larvae that feeds on the carrot root.
Carrot Root Fly Damage
The main beneficial bugs are parasitic wasps, ground beetles and centipedes.
So along with planting plants such as: Dill, Fennel, Queen Anne's Lace, Marigolds, Borage and Cilantro for Parasitic Wasps, Ground beetles are attracted to nector-rich annual flowers and perennials so many of these same plants you can grow to attract them as well. Ground Beetles also like logs and wood pieces. If you're having trouble with slugs ground beetles are also helpful combating them too.
Additional Notes:
This is just a small amount of pests/beneficial insects that are in the garden, there are many more. Planting to Attract beneficial insects is a great option to help combat pests, it may not be 100% successful but just the fact that you're incorporating flowers and herbs into your vegetable garden helps weaken the scent of your vegetables to pests making them less apt to be attacked. Doing this really adds to diversity in the garden creating a healthier space for your garden.