Farm Horizons
•
April 4
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Page 24
Attracting beneficial insects
Most insects in the garden are actuhabitat for beneficial insects as well as
ally good and help get rid of the pests
an attractive garden landscape.
Christine
in the garden.
A number of culinary herbs are also
Schlueter
McLeod
County
If you would like to attract these types
in parsley or carrot family including
Master Gardener
here are some tips.
parsley, dill, caraway, cilantro or coBeneficial insects require enormous
riander, and fennel. These plants will
amounts of energy to lay eggs and find
spread quickly if left to go to seed. Repests to eat. Pollen (protein) and nectar (carbohydrates) move flower heads after they stop producing nectar, but
not only provide this energy, but also serve as an alter- before seeds mature. Some are also biennials which
native food when pests are scarce. Growing flowering means you won’t see flowers until the second year of
plants to provide these food sources will help keep ben- growth.
eficials in your garden.
The aster, sunflower, or daisy family is characterized
Promoting beneficial insects is an important strategy by flower heads that are actually made up of numerin ecological management of insect pests. Attract these ous small flowers growing together. Many have flowers
“good bugs” by increasing the diversity of plants in or composed of rays around a disk-like center.
near the garden.
This is a large family of plants including many popuSelect plants they prefer including those in the parsley lar ornamentals like marigolds, dahlias, daisies, asters,
or carrot family (Apiaceae formerly Umbelliferae) and cosmos, calendula, coreopsis, tansy, yarrow, zinnia, and
the aster, sunflower or daisy family (Asteraceae former- sunflowers are. These plants usually produce more than
ly Compositae). There are lots to choose among. Aim one flower per plant with a long bloom time so provide
to vary color, scents, textures, and plant height.
season long food and habitat for beneficial insects.
Using a variety of plants from the parsley that bloom
Most pests are selective about what they eat, and
at different times can provide season long food and they are strongly attracted to the smell of their favorite
DON’T LEAVE IT TO CHANCE!
GET CROP/FARM INSURANCE.
PKN Inc
Your local crop / farm insurance agency
320-693-7908
617 U.S. Highway 12 • Litchfield, MN