Invite the good guys into your tomato patch
I've always believed in inter-planting perennials and herbs that attract pollinators and beneficial insects right in my veggie garden. Huge bumblebees love the bee balm, catmint and Zebrine Malva. Bumblebees really do a fine job pollinating the tomatoes and peppers. Pollinators are essential to food and flower crops. Eighty percent of all flowering plants rely on pollinators for survival. The world's bees are in peril, its estimated one-third of the population is gone due to pesticides and diseases.
Plant flowers in a range of shapes and sizes; include varieties that bloom throughout the season. Avoid chemical pesticides and herbicides. Provide a water source; a little mud puddle works great. Leave small piles of twigs and brush for nesting and overwintering.
Certain strong-scented plants can be used to disguise your tomatoes' attractive scent. Onions, chives and garlic can confuse ants, aphids and flea beetles and should be interplanted near your tomatoes. Radishes repel cucumber beetles. Marigolds are useful against aphids, Colorado potato beetles and whiteflies. Many aromatic flowers and herbs not only confuse insect pests and but also attract beneficial insects. The plant lists for inviting in "the good guys" are very extensive. Stop into our garden center for a list of plants that draw pollinators and beneficial insects as well "good guy vs. bad guy" insect tables or go to pesches.com, then to Garden Rx. Interplanting perennials and herbs has really helped my veggie garden and creates design harmony!
Tremendous Tomato Contest
•Tomatoes must be grown by entrant. All entries must include a photo of the submitted tomato growing on the vine shortly before harvest.
•Entries must be brought into Pesche's Garden Center for weighing.
•Tomatoes must be a minimum of 2 pounds for entry.
•Entrants will agree to have their names and images used for publicity by contest partners Pesche's and the Daily Herald and will agree to share their techniques for success, including soil condition, fertilizers and other growing methods.
•Contest ends Oct. 10
•Wally Schmidtke has been a manager at Pesche's Garden Center in Des Plaines for 20 years. Pesche's will provide prizes to the contest winners.