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The age old method of planting tomatoes or other crops in neat rows, followed by another row of peppers and then another row of eggplants or what have you, is an unsuitable method of gardening that flirts with potential problems. Though tomatoes and other crops have always been planted this way and many good books on growing tomatoes suggest laying the plants out in neat rows, this method is not natural and is sure to attract an entire menagerie of pests who will gleefully munch on and destroy the fruits of your labour.
A far superior method of planting tomatoes and other crops is to plant them among other species of plants that are both beneficial to one another’s growth and that naturally repel insects and other pests. This method of gardening is referred to as “companion planting" or “intercropping" and is the correct way to grow tomatoes or other vegetables naturally.
Certain herbs, flowers and vegetables, when planted near tomatoes have the ability to improve the growth of the plants, repel insect pests and also to attract the natural predators of problematic pests. (Organic sprays can also be made of the leaves and flowers of certain plants that will repel and sometimes even destroy insect pests).
The following plants, when sown near tomatoes are beneficial:
Basil - Probably the most widely used companion for tomatoes, basil attracts bees to aid in pollination, as well as repels whitefly, aphids and spider mites. Basil sprays are also thought to destroy these same pests, while some gardeners also believe that tomatoes grown near basil will also produce tomatoes with a basil tinged flavor. And of course, using basil as a companion also provides plenty of this lovely herb for your kitchen.
Nasturtiums - Thought to reduce the chances of fungal attack on your tomatoes and to also repel aphids and Green Shield beetles.
Stinging Nettles - Scientifically proven to dramatically increase the overall yield of tomato plants as well as to deter fungal disease.
Borage - Attracts beneficial insects.
Lemon Balm - Attracts beneficial insects.
Umbilliferae - A family which includes parsley, parsnips, carrots and others that attracts hoverflies which in both mature and larvae form feed on a wide host of tomato pests.
French Marigolds - Neither nematodes, nor whiteflies like marigolds, which makes them a wonderful companion for tomatoes, as well as others.
Thyme, Asparagus, Foxglove, Lavender and Garlic are also good companions to be intercropped with tomatoes.
On a final note, Rosemary, Potatoes, Kohlrabi, Fennel, Strawberries, members of the Brassica family (Cabbage, Kale, etc) and Dill should NOT be planted near tomatoes for these plants often attract pests which will attack tomatoes.
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The author, K Spurling, is a seedsman and professional plant breeder by trade.
This article can be published in print or electronically, free of charge as long as it is substantially unaltered and contains the following active links:
http://www.tomatoseeds.net/
http://www.vegetableseed.net/
http://www.seedfest.co.uk/
http://www.eggplantseeds.com/
http://www.uk-seeds.net/
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