| Petunia |
| Petunias are a beneficial plant in the war against bugs! They will repel asparagus beetles, tomato hornworms, squash bugs, leafhoppers and aphids! There is no reason not to plant flowers, BS, and vegetables together, especially given the properties that some plants can afford growers in natural protection. The secret to Petunia’s success is her ability to trap the insects on her sticky stamens, who can’t get away and die. Eventually, they fall into the soil, and their deaths further enrich the nutrient soil levels. Bonus! Of course, the other thing is that they serve to attract butterflies, another one of our pollinators, so there is a bonus even if she is a tad heavy-stemmed with uninvited guests! While butterflies are not as adept as our bees in pollination, they are stunningly beautiful, and every little bit helps in my book. Take into consideration that petunias require full sun and can be a little boisterous when it comes to rooting spread. So, it’s best not to plant anything too timid in their neighbour’s space. Consider having the petunias in a container beside the vegetables instead of on the same ground. In that position, they can protect tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, brassicas, asparagus, sweetcorn, beans, and peas. Another alternative might be to make a petunia insect repellent spray. Place the flower’s leaves into a bucket of water to settle and cook or stew for a week. Strain into a spray bottle and fill it just over the halfway mark. Add water, shake it, and then add a few drops of a non-chemical washing liquid [for stickability], and away you go. |
Earthly Comforts 
Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow. With silver bells and cockle shells and one stinkin’ petunia right in the middle. (We did love ‘fractured’ rhymes when we were kids.)
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Ah the good ol’ fractured rhymes 🙂
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