Flowers to attract beneficial bugs to kill pests in veg garden?

SkeeterUK · 19 Mar 2011 at 03:57

I'm wondering which flowers to grow and where to put them to attract beneficial bugs to kill pests that might attack my veg garden.

Any advice?

Its a container garden with a 4 tier mini greenhouse.

I had thrips last year so would like something to attract things that eat em. And i hear marigolds are worth trying to attract hover flys and stuff.

Thats about best i know but there's probs a lot more i need to know.

tigerstyle · 19 Mar 2011 at 04:15

Aren't tomato plants good at attracting the ladybirds who in term eat those other buggers?

SkeeterUK · 19 Mar 2011 at 04:31

Nope. Thanks for the reply tho. I do want to attract ladybirds tho which is something you hit upon but tomato plants dont attract them or never did when i grew them before.

Also id prefer comments from people who activly use methods to get rid of pests so i know those that post have actually used methods they suggest.

tigerstyle · 19 Mar 2011 at 04:46

In that case Agent Orange, worked a treat for me!

I actually factually used it, and can vouch for the results.

SkeeterUK · 19 Mar 2011 at 04:54

lol bit overkill

Zip · 19 Mar 2011 at 05:33

We use buckweet in the vineyards where i work. It attracts a certain kind of wasp that eats the moths that eat the grapes.

Dunno if you would get that wasp over there though but look into it

AHarvey · 19 Mar 2011 at 06:23

you can buy tubs of ladybirds on the internet and release them in your garden which really helps.

mattyfez · 19 Mar 2011 at 09:32

Yeh, you can buy tubs of various predators depending on what your problem is, release them into the greenhouse.

K1LLSW1TCH · 19 Mar 2011 at 09:36

mattyfez said:
Yeh, you can buy tubs of various predators depending on what your problem is, release them into the greenhouse.

Hah

RELEASE THEM!!!

Glaucus · 19 Mar 2011 at 09:39

No knowledge, but this should get you started
http://www.ehow.co.uk/list_7567424_plants-attract-beneficial-insects.html

mattyfez · 19 Mar 2011 at 10:00

K1LLSW1TCH said:
Hah

RELEASE THEM!!!

Indeed, lol! nothing like a bit of biological warfare

Its like playing a real life RTS http://www.dovebugs.co.uk/dovebugsproductlist.htm

Herman Gelmet · 19 Mar 2011 at 11:13

Yep yellow marigolds and zinnia's worked at attracting hoverfly for me last year. Great watching them zone in on the little aphids and pick them off!
http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/garden-shop/seeds/flowers/m/marigold.-juliet/all

Basil good for deterring ants.
http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/garden-shop/seeds/basil/

Wild flower mix would be a good all-round bug-attractor, just grow in a big pot. Seeds pretty cheap for this.
http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/gar...vation-mix/b/basic-15-species-wild-flower-mix

I used NN for most of my chilli and herb seeds, quick and reliable so far.