Insectary Plants

To avoid using pesticides, we grow insectary plants. These are plants we know are going to bring in insect predators that can take care of pests for us. Anything from the Apiaceae or Asteraceae family do well at this job. That includes carrots, cilantro, dill, Queen Anne’s Lace, parsley and daisies, mums and sunflowers. These aren’t the only plant families that bring in predators. There’s a ton of scientific research out there and doing a quick search will help you find them. The key is to include these where possible in your garden. Companion planting isn’t something we do extensively because the plants will compete for resources, but including some insectary plants on the margins of beds can greatly enhance your pest control.