I learned something neat today. When I visited one of the community gardens there were several gardeners out there taking care of their plots, so I stopped to see how the season was going for them.

I asked one of the gardeners (who is doing an incredible job and I hope to film her garden for one of the gardening videos) about the Colorado potato beetles. They’ve been bad in this particular garden this year, so I was a bit surprised that I didn’t see them on her plants.

She said they were eating her eggplants and tomatillos, and they didn’t touch the potatoes. While she wasn’t thrilled because she really likes her eggplant, I was delighted to see the clean potatoes.

Trap Crops

This brings me to the topic of trap crops. The concept is basically planting something the pests like more than the desired crop. In an area like the community garden where the potato beetle has been such an issue, this was very interesting to see. Keeping them busy on the trap crops also gives her a good opportunity to pick them off of those few plants versus trying to sort through all of the potatoes. She has the eggplants planted 10 to 12 feet away from the potatoes, and it’s working well.

Here are a few other options:

Nightshade

While talking about Colorado potato beetles, I should mention that nightshade is also used a trap crop for them. It’s in the same family as potatoes, eggplant, tomatillos, etc. so it makes sense that it works. I have never tried it because I don’t want the boys to eat those pretty berries. Keep that in mind if you have children.

Nettles

I love nettles, and not just because they’re a superfood and are absolutely delicious when they’re steamed. (BTW, if I ever do roller derby “Stinging Nettle” is going to be my name. Watch on ESPN for that one!) They’re good to draw in aphids, which in turn, bring in ladybugs. Even though they might have a lot of aphids on them, they’re a strong grower and typically withstand the infestation.

Collards

This member of the cole family is good to dissuade the diamond back moth. Plant them around the perimeter to discourage them from visiting the other crops.

Nasturtiums

These are good to draw aphids to them. They’re also nice to interplant in the garden to encourage other beneficial insects.

Blue Hubbard squash

Another interesting tidbit I’ve recently discovered is a favorite of the striped cucumber beetle so the beetle will hit that versus your other cucurbit crops. Thankfully, this particular squash is so vigorous it can withstand the attack. If you have an issue with the cucumber beetle, plant Blue Hubbards around the perimeter to protect your other varieties.

Trap Crop Root Vegetables: Radishes

This is fairly effective to keep flea beetles off of the broccoli, kale and other cole crops that they love some much. The good thing is you can destroy the radishes, and take care of a lot of the flea beetles at the same time.

Trap crops have been around for a long time, but after what I saw yesterday with the dreaded Colorado potato beetles I highly recommend it to any home gardener. Plant a little for the pests, and enjoy your favorite crops.

(The cucumber beetle is copyright of mpiokpee from istock.)