Some plants make powerful allies in the battle against harmful insects. By attracting beneficial insects--some of which prey on destructive ones--these plants can help you reduce or eliminate your use of pesticides. Rani Jacobs, who runs a shop in Los Angeles that caters to organic gardeners, suggests a number of helpful plants that can enhance your garden. One example is Cosmos bipinnatus (figure A), a colorful, sun-loving annual that's easy to grow and can be direct-seeded into the garden.
Another plant that attracts beneficial insects is feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium ) (figure B). Other good choices include alyssum (figure C), soil-enriching cover crops such as buckwheat and clover, broccoli and mustard (figure D). Marigolds (Tagetes) (figure E) help repel harmful insects such as root-knot nematodes. Nasturtiums (figure F) attract beneficials, and they taste great in salads too.
The term "companion planting" refers to the notion of combining plants for their mutual benefit. Some plants are physically compatible. For example, collards grow tall and have deep roots, so you can plant low-growing, shallow-rooted crops such as lettuce under them. The lettuce appreciates some shade, which the collard provides. Another example of companion planting is training a squash to grow on a trellis to provide shade for lettuce to grow underneath. Some plants benefit the garden by fixing nitrogen, which enriches the soil. Peas, beans, clover and alfalfa are all legumes that fix nitrogen. When the crops are mature, you can rototill them back into the soil, adding what's called "green manure."
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