Keep aphids and other pests away by companion planting kale with these easy-care veggies, herbs, and flowers.
Companion planting kale can help detercommon garden pests, which can riddle leaves with holes or cause stunted growth.
From small herbs to larger veggies, there are several easy-to-growcompanion plantsfor kale.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Growing these plants together can naturally minimize pests, and evenboost your kale harvest.
Try growing garlic,chives, leeks, oronionsnearby to reduce pest problems.
Extra nitrogen will support the development of lushkale leavesand healthier plants overall.
Credit:Bob Stefko
Catnip
When in bloom,catnipis irresistible to pollinators and other beneficial insects that prey on pests.
Companion planting kale with catnip can lure these useful insects into your garden to help to protect your crop.
Cilantro
Cilantroflowers will draw hoverflies and other beneficial insects to your garden beds.
Credit:Kindra Clineff
Once there, these predatory insects will feed onaphidsand other pests.
For example, some types of marigolds attract pollinators, such as wasps that attack aphids.
Plus, the cheery orange and yellowflowers are edible.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Planting rosemary near your kale can help to protect your greens.
Additionally, because rosemary stays smaller in cooler climates, it usually wont compete with kale for sunlight.
When interplanted among your kale, sweet alyssum will attract lots of beneficial insects.
Credit: Edward Gohlich
Ben-Issa R, Gomez L, Gautier H.Companion Plants for Aphid Pest Management.Insects.
2017; 8(4):112.
& Snyder, William & Hamilton, G.C.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
& Rodriguez-Saona, Cesar.
(2013).Companion planting and insect pest control.
Weed and Pest Control - Conventional and New Challenges.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Agr Forest Entomol, 19: 181-191.
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/attract-beneficial-insects-growing-sweet-alyssum
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
Credit:Cameron Sadeghpour
Credit:Edward Gohlich
Credit: Justin Hancock
