The topic of beneficial plants and insects in our garden is
one that is VERY in-depth, but I wanted to share just a few
basics today. There are good bugs and wildlife that we
really do want to attract to our gardens, even if they may
give us the "willies" . A few main good bugs are: hover
flies (syrphids), parasitic wasps, ladybugs (lady beetles),
lacewings, some flies and our friend the spider. So, how
to we encourage these bugs?
Well, for starters, teach your kids and grandkids to observe
the bugs, but don't touch. Spider webs are homes, and we
should admire them but not mess them up. Second, we
can plant herbs and other plants that these bugs prefer.
Some are:
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare): this one is a favorite of many
good bugs. It's a big plant so give it room! Don't plant it in
moist areas where it may mold. It's easy to grow and as
mentioned last week it's a good pest deterrent when dried
or used in a spray.
White Sensation cosmos (cosmos bipinnatus): This one is
also a great plant, for attracting those good bugs and because
it's an easy to grow annual. Direct seed where you want it to
grow and enjoy. It's grows 4-5 foot tall and makes a good back
of the border plant.
Lemon Gem marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia): also known as Signet
marigolds. These have an added plus of being lemon scented.
They grow to 10-12 inches tall in mounds. Great for containers,
window boxes and small enough to plant in front of your vegetable
rows!
Herbs: Caraway (carum carvi), Dill (anethum graveolens) and
fennel (foeniculum vulgare). All three of these are not only great
herbs for cooking, but they can be planted through out your
garden to attract good bugs as well. Do plant them away from
each other however. Start indoors or direct seed. We also
have features on all three of these in the garden section.
Your garden is a world all it's own. There is activity that we
don't see, and some we do. There is much we can't control,
but we can work with the information we have to try and
work things to our advantage and hope for a great harvest.
Gardeners never stop learning and should always be open
to new ideas!
About the author:
Brenda Hyde is a wife and mom to three living in the Midwest
United States. She is also editor of OldFashionedLiving.com.
Perennial & Landscaping Resources
Spring Hill Nursery
Michigan Bulb
Henry Field's
Gurney's Seed&Nursery
Jacksona
ndPerkins.com
White
Flower Farm
Nature Hills Nursery
