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by MIKE LIEBERMAN on MARCH 7, 2012

You have insects in your urban garden…

…and are looking for practical advice and a non-chemical way to treat them.

I’m with you on that.

Some of the worst advice that I’ve received about controlling insects is to buy beneficial insects and release them into the garden.

Really?

Ladybugs have better things to do then what our urban gardens have to offer.

Instead of buying beneficial insects, grow herbs and veggies that will attract them.

Instead of buying beneficial insects, grow herbs and veggies that will attract them. — Tweet This

A Practical Solution to Attracting Beneficial Insects

Grow something that will serve two purposes. One for you to eat and one to attract the beneficial insects.

This isn’t a post of every single plant that will attract every single insect. Those aren’t useful.

It’s a post that will attract two beneficial insects that will help out most urban gardeners – ladybugs and lacewings.

Both of them will take care of aphids and other soft-bodied insects.

What You Can Plant to Attract Ladybugs & Lacewings

Here is a short list of herbs and veggies that you can eat and use to attract these good guys:

  • Coriander/Cilantro
  • Dandelion
  • Dill
  • Fennel
  • Lady bugs will also be attracted to Marigolds

There are billion other flowers that can be planted to attract these and other beneficial insects, but want to help you really maximize your small space.

Your Turn

Which of these plants will you start growing to attract these beneficial insects to your urban garden?

Photo courtesy of marakawalv on Flickr

Source: UrbanOrganicGardener.com

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