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September 2, 2023

Herbs and Insects:

We all know that herbs add flavor to our food, but did you know that herbs also help in our gardens? Let’s look at Sage, Rosemary, Basil, Chives, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, and Thyme.

Sage should be planted by your carrots and cabbage, but NOT by your cucumbers. It discourages carrot rust flies and cabbage moths.

Rosemary also deters carrot rust flies and cabbage moths as well as Mexican bean beetles. Plant this next to carrots, beans, and cabbage.

Basil should be near asparagus and tomatoes as it is offensive to the asparagus beetle and the tomato hornworm.

Chives spread quickly, so only plant if you eat them. Chives deter Aphids and the Japanese beetles.

Mint smells wonderful and may be planted by your tomatoes. Ants, cabbage moths, and aphids are not fans of mint.

Oregano works with all vegetables and it repels cabbage moths.

Parsley is good to plant by your tomatoes, corn, and asparagus. It repels the asparagus beetles.

Thyme also discourages cabbage worms.

By Insects:

Ants: Mint

Asparagus beetles: Parsley and Basil.

Aphids: Chives and Mint,

Aphids encompasses a large group of insects of different colors and shapes. These bugs love the tinder growth of plants and are extremely destructive.

Cabbage Worms: Thyme, Mint, Rosemary and Sage

Carrot Rust Flies: Sage and Rosemary

Below are pictures of the larvae and the full grown carrot rust fly as well as two pictures of the damage it causes on carrots.

Japanese Beetles: Chives

These colorful beetles start hatch out as white grubs that live in the ground. When they emerge as beetles, they wreak havoc on plants in your garden.

Tomato Hornworm: Basil

Moths lay their eggs which hatch into the Tomato Hornworm. This larvae can decimate tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and potatoes.

Mexican Bean Beetle: Rosemary.

Mexican Bean Beetle is not a lady bug. It is found throughout the USA. Like the Japanese Beetle, it skeletonizes the leaves of the plant. Adult has 16 black spots. Larvae is yellow. Eggs are laid on underside of leaf in groups of 30-40.