Helpful combos for favorite plants

A very fascinating area of gardening has been the intermingling of various plants for the benefit of one or the other, or even both.

The very earliest memory that I have of hearing about this was while living in a northern state. As a young mother, I was learning many new things. It was really amazing to me that marigolds sown by roses would counteract nematodes, and planted by tomatoes would repel the caterpillars that loved to eat the leaves.

Over the years I learned more good, and bad, combinations. Some fell into disfavor or were even proven wrong. New ones have come along. For many years I heard little, or nothing, about such things, but in more recent years there seems to be an upsurge of such techniques.

The list now seems endless. This article will necessarily only touch on a few that are more applicable to plantings that are possible for the desert Southwest.

A curious contradiction as to the usefulness is found in the castor bean plant. Sown around the perimeter of a garden, they can repel moles and possibly mosquitoes but are poisonous to animals and humans. Curiously pole beans can be planted by them and allowed to climb the castor bean plant for protection from pests. Seemingly the pole beans are all right to eat.

Oleander is very effective against codling moths and also very beautiful. The yellow ones (Japacs) have insecticidal qualities especially toward aphids. Remember, it is often poisonous to pets and humans.

An added precaution is that cyclamen should never be near orchids. It gives off ethylene gases that kill the plant and orchids but will protect fruit trees.

Garlic is useful as a spray and as a planting. As a spray made from the minced bulbs, it can be used against the worst insect pests and to repel plant-eating rabbits. As a plant, it can be grown with fruit trees, vetch and roses for the same purposes. It guards against borers. It repels the butterflies that lay the white cabbage worm eggs.

Garlic is also effective planted by tomatoes to protect against both aphids and the red spider. We all have heard of its health benefits but that is a totally different subject.

Spearmint repels aphids. Coriander is renowned for repelling aphids - another help for roses and others.

Cabbage and tomatoes can benefit from mint grown nearby. For the same reason, oregano can be planted by broccoli.

Stinging nettle can help strengthen mint and tomatoes. Thyme also can help against the cabbage worm.

Basil is remarkable. Planted by tomatoes, it helps combat disease and insects as well as improving flavor. It also repels mosquitoes and flies. Bee balm also helps the flavor of tomatoes if planted nearby.

Continuing with mints, don't forget peppermint repels red ants, and any mint leaves can be used to repel moths from stored woolens.

Sage can be grown with carrots to protect against the carrot fly and sown near the cabbage family members to protect against the white cabbage butterfly moth and to improve flavors. Dill helps improve cabbage growth but does not seem to help with carrot growth.

A few years ago when we had an invasion of white flies, a soap spray was recommended to be used. This same spray can be used for roses, mums, beans and other similar plantings. It is useful against aphids and mites.

Other effective sprays can be made of ground-up onions in water for aphids and red spiders. One made from hot peppers in soapy water can be used against cabbage worms, tomato worms, ants and others.

Catnip steeped in water makes an insect repellent liquid which can be sprinkled on plants. It is especially helpful against flea beetles.

Chervil improves the flavor of radishes while chives planted by carrots improve the carrot flavor and help growth. They can also prevent apple scab if planted in the orchard. If made into a liquid, chives will work against powdery mildew on berries and cucumbers.

With all of the above, I have really only scratched the surface of the possible helpful combinations. For more information, check the reference books at the library or do an Internet search.

There is a garden club devoted to organic gardening. It is possible to join in at the evening time although the afternoon one is full. For further information, call Jean Hobson at 305-9112.
 
On a side note: Karen Bowen wrote about the Desert Botanical Garden in her last article. I totally agree that you should visit there. It is also a great idea to see it at different desert seasons to get a glimpse of the seasonal desert displays.

I can still remember the first time I was up close to a saguaro. I had never fully realized how tall they are.

Consider visiting or joining a garden club. You are welcome at any one of them.

• MGM Garden Club meets at 10 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the University of Arizona Extension building, 2200 W. 28th St.

• Pecan Grove Garden Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Main Library.

• Yuma Garden Club meets on the second Monday of each month at Sun Leisure Estates clubhouse, 14125 Mark Drive.

• Yuma Orchid Society meets on the second Monday of each month at Fortuna de Oro, North Frontage Road in the Foothills.

There is another garden club — a very exclusive one. It meets at Desert Mesa Elementary School under the teacher sponsorship and direction of Jenna Watson, assisted by Yuma Garden Club members Millie Parker and Elizabeth Moody. The Plant Masters (affectionately called the Junior Garden Club) is for students at the school who are very enthusiastic and do a great job.

Beverly Peterson, a Master Gardener and garden club member, can be reached by e-mail at ptrsnbvrly@localnet.com.