USDA Offers a Gardener’s Tip

March 12, 2019

Gardeners can utilize a simple strategy to reduce losses from insect pests, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ARS).

By pairing crops with “companion plants” that affect pests, they can boost yields and reduce productions costs.

For example, placing arugula or giant red mustard around tomato plants repels whiteflies.

Yellow squash or sunflower strips at the edge of a garden can pull pests into sticky traps, bio-controls and pesticides.

Flowering annuals such as sweet alyssum attract hoverflies, an insect that preys upon many varieties of pests.

For detailed ARS research information, visit https://www.ars.usda.gov/.