Pest Control and Companion Planting Workshop Veggie Village

1. Pest Control and Companion Planting Workshop Veggie Village
1. Introduction
Now that we have established our gardens the question arises as to how we can control pests and diseases
without resorting to harmful sprays and other killers, and, how do we improve our success rate in the garden.
Fortunately nature, through a great variety of herbs, has provided us with many safe and effective ways of
tackling this problem. As well as pest control planting herbs provides a ready supply of delicious and fragrant
foods.
A quote from Bill Mollison: “I believe that there is no pest problem that will not yield to our applied
commonsense and an integrated natural approach”.
A quote from Janet Millington “The whole concept has to be that when you start a garden you are
putting food out for the pests... they will come… some would be tempted to poison them and kill them…
you don’t want to do that because if you poison them the birds that come to help you will be killed too”.
“So plant the garden, wait for the pests to notice… they are the enemy. Now you need to make friends
with the enemy of your enemies. Wait till the birds and beneficial insects notice the food – the pests.
Make them welcome and they will control, as well as confusing the pests”.
In a nutshell Janet suggests that you attract the birds and beneficial insects which will eat the pests.
Also, experience has shown that nature has developed plants which like one another’s company and this has
improved success with plant propagation. This method is called “Companion Planting” - among other names.
These practices are in line with our Permaculture principle of CARE OF THE EARTH: Provision of all life
systems to continue and multiply.
2. Aims
• To be able to select and cultivate herbs which repel insect and bug pests in our gardens
• To be able to place plants together to improve success in our gardens
• To benefit from the experiences of others
3. Insect & Bug Repellant Plants
Flying Insects:
Plant Repellant Method Insect/Pest Other Benefit
Garlic Pungent Aroma Flying Insects, Aphids Disinfects & Cleans Soil
Tansy Pleasant Aroma Flying Insects Potted – room air freshener
Mint/Sage Aroma White Cabbage Fly Dried – place with clothes to repel
moths
Thyme Aroma Cabbage Root Fly
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2. Marigolds Aroma Insects Colour to the garden also encourage
bees
Marigolds Root Secretion Root Eating
Nematodes (eelworm)
Marigolds among Aroma White Fly
Tomatoes
Basil among Aroma Disease & Pests, Flies Flowers attract bees
Tomatoes & Mosquitoes
Rosemary/Onions Aroma Carrot Fly
Nasturtiums Aroma Cabbage White Moth, Flowers attract bees
Aphids, Cucumber
Beetle
Slug/Snail:
Plant/ Product Repellant Method Insect/Pest Other Benefit
Sawdust/ Sand Rough Surface Slug/ Snail
Hollowed Out Half Night Hiding Place Slug
Orange
Night Search Pick up, exterminate Slug/ Snail
and dispose of in
Compost bin.
Native Snail Cannibal Snail Imported Snail More research required.
Leopard Slug Eats decaying Garden Cleanup More research required.
vegetation
4. Companion Planting
A method of planting which groups plants which like each others company.
Plant Planting Month Likes Dislikes
*SC Planting Guide
Asparagus August/September Parsley, tomatoes Potatoes
Broad Beans May/June Carrots, Onion, Fennel, Garlic, Chives,
Cauliflower,Red Shallots
Beets, Cucumber,
Cabbage, Potatoes,
Leeks, Lettuce,
Celeriac, Celery
Peas – climbing & April Carrot, Corn, Radish, Onions, Shallots & Garlic
dwarf Cucumber, Beans
Beets Feb to November Kohlrabi, Dwarf Climbing & Dwarf Beans, Lettuce,
Beans, Onion, Chives Silverbeet, Leaf Mustard
Broccoli February to June Dill, Celery, Tomato, Climbing Beans,
Chamomile, Sage, Strawberries, Oregano
Rosemary, Potatoes,
Beetroot, Onion
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3. Beetroot, Onion
Cabbage May to October Potatoes, Sage
Carrots April to July Chives, Onions, Dill, Parsnips, Sage, Rosemary,
Leeks, Sage, Peas & Radish
Lettuce, Tomato
Cauliflower February to May Celery, Celeriac, Strawberries, Peas, Potatoes,
Beans, Oregano Nasturtium
Celery Mar to September Dwarf Beans, Peas, Parsnips, Potato, Wheat
Potatoes, Dill, Leeks,
Cabbage, Tomato
Cucumber September/ October Chives, Beans, Peas Potato, Sage, Cauliflower, Basil
Cabbage, Potatoes,
Carrot, Radish, Celery
Chives Carrots, Tomato, Broad Beans
Parsley, Parsnips,
Fruit Trees
Eggplant August to February Beans, Potatoes,
Marjoram
Garlic March Beans, Peas
Leeks January to July Celery, Carrot,
Strawberries
Lettuce March to October Carrots, Radishes, Parsley, Beans, Beetroot, Parsnip
Strawberries,
Cabbage, Onion,
Cucumber
Onions May & June Carrots, Cabbage, Beans, Peas, Parsnip, Parsley, Leek
Beetroot
Parsley March to June Asparagus &
Tomatoes
Peas March & April Turnips, Beans, Sweet Onion, Garlic, Shallots
Corn, Radishes,
Carrots Cucumber,
Potato
Potatoes April to July Beans, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Sunflower, Pumpkin,
Peas & Cabbage Squash, Cucumber, Dill, Eggplant,
Raspberries
Pumpkin Sept to November Sweet Corn, Potatoes
Marjoram
Radish March to November Most Plants Squash, Peas, Nasturtiums
Silverbeet February to September Beetroot, Onions
Spinach March to August Broad Beans,
Strawberries, Fruit
Trees
Tomatoes Feb to May, Aug to Parsley, Asparagus, Potatoes, Beetroot, Fennel, Kohlrabi,
October Basil Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts,
Cauliflower, Rosemary, Dill, Onions,
Parsnip
Swedes March to May Peas
Turnip May & June
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4. Zucchini August to November Corn, Marjoram,
Nasturtium
5. Contributions From Attendees
The soap used in the following sprays will help the mixture ‘stick’ to the leaves. If you don’t use a small
amount of soap, the mixture will probably have a shorter life-span on the plant.
• Molasses spray – Helps stop bugs/grubs from eating leaves
o 1tblspn molasses, 1ltr water, 1tspn liquid soap
o Mix all ingredients together thoroughly
o Apply (spray) to top and bottom of leaves
o Must be re-applied after it rains
• Chili spray – Helps stop bugs/grubs from eating leaves; Bush turkey deterrent
o Wear plastic gloves when making this recipe. Avoid contact with eyes and sensitive areas!
o 20 chilies, 1ltr water, 1tspn liquid soap
o Whiz chilies and small amount of water in a food processor
o Pour this water/chili mix through a strainer to remove solids
o Add the strained water/chili mix to the remaining water
o Add liquid soap and mix thoroughly
o Apply (spray) to top and bottom of leaves for bugs and grubs
o Apply (spray/watering can) to area around plants to deter bush turkeys
o Must be re-applied after it rains
• Garlic spray – Helps stop bugs/grubs from eating leaves
o 10 cloves garlic, 1ltr water, 1tspn liquid soap or 30 grams of grated pure soap
o Whiz garlic and small amount of water in a food processor
o Pour this water/garlic mix through a strainer to remove solids
o Add the strained water/garlic mix to the remaining water
o Add soap and mix thoroughly
o Apply (spray) to top and bottom of leaves
o Must be re-applied after it rains
• McLeod’s Agriculture – Red Spot Foliar Microbes
o Available from Eumundi Markets. Ph: 1800 062 616
6. Conclusion
In this workshop we have examined
• safe and harmless methods of controlling insects and pests and improve visual appeal;
• companion planting - a method for improving our success in the garden;
• and benefited from the experiences of others.
7. References
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5. • “No Dig Gardening and Leaves Of Life” – Esther Dean – Publisher Harper Collins
• Permaculture – A Designers Manual – Bill Mollison – Publisher Tagari
• *Permaculture Noosa – Sunshine Coast Planting Guide
• “Organic Growing Methods – Companion Planting” – Lydia Waldron – Published in COGS Quarterly,
Spring 1994
• “Celtic-Nordic Eightfold Year – Seasonal Garden Chart for the Subtropics” – Robyn Francis –
Published by Djanbung Gardens Permaculture Education Centre.
8. Acknowledgements:
Janet Millington – PDC;
Permaculture Noosa – planting guide;
Phil Cook – input and assistance;
All - who contributed their experiences and recipes;
All – who listened so patiently.
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