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Flowers as Natural Pest Control in Edible Landscaping

Flowers play a crucial role in creating a natural pest control system in edible landscaping. By strategically incorporating specific flowers into your garden, you can attract beneficial insects and repel harmful pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. This approach, known as companion planting, not only helps protect your edible plants but also promotes a healthy and balanced ecosystem.

Attracting Beneficial Insects

Many flowers have the ability to attract beneficial insects such as bees, ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies. These insects are natural predators of common garden pests like aphids, caterpillars, and mites. By providing a habitat and food source for these beneficial insects, you can encourage them to stay in your garden and help control pest populations.

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Some flowers that are particularly effective in attracting beneficial insects include:

• Calendula: Also known as pot marigold, calendula attracts hoverflies and ladybugs, which feed on aphids and other soft-bodied pests.
• Nasturtium: Nasturtiums attract aphid-eating ladybugs and caterpillar-controlling hoverflies.
• Borage: Borage flowers attract bees and other pollinators, which are essential for fruit set in many edible plants.
• Lavender: Lavender attracts bees and other beneficial insects while repelling pests like moths and fleas.

Repelling Harmful Pests

Some flowers have natural pest-repellent properties, making them excellent companions for edible plants. These flowers emit strong scents or contain compounds that repel pests, acting as a natural deterrent. By interplanting these flowers with your edible crops, you can help protect them from common garden pests.

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Here are a few flowers that are known for their pest-repellent qualities:

• Marigold: Marigolds emit a strong scent that repels aphids, nematodes, and whiteflies.
• Chrysanthemum: Chrysanthemums contain a natural insecticide called pyrethrum, which repels a wide range of pests including ants, roaches, and beetles.
• Petunia: Petunias repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and other common garden pests.
• Geranium: Geraniums repel cabbage worms, leafhoppers, and other insect pests.

When incorporating flowers into your edible landscaping for pest control, it’s important to consider the specific needs and preferences of your edible plants and the pests you are targeting. By selecting the right combination of flowers and edible crops, you can create a natural pest control system that enhances the health and productivity of your garden.

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Keywords: flowers, edible, natural, insects, garden, beneficial, control, attract, plants