Warm days bring not only the joy of gardening, but also unpleasant visitors – aphids. They can weaken tomatoes at lightning speed and transmit viral diseases. However, Africans planted between tomatoes confuse pests with their scent and at the same time attract beneficial insects. Take a look.
Spring is in full swing, the days are finally getting warmer and soon there will be , which all gardeners are very much looking forward to. Unfortunately, with warm days also comes one problem, and that is pests, especially aphids. They can weaken plants at lightning speed, deform their leaves and ruin almost the entire crop. The problem with aphids is that they multiply really quickly and transmit various viral diseases. However, this precarious situation can be solved without chemicals, by planting a companion plant.
You can find a video on why to grow strawberries under tomatoes here:
Rajčata is the African
Gardener Ludmila Svobodová from Prague shared with iReceptář why you should plant Africans next to tomatoes. “Africans are great as companion plants. They have a very strong distinctive aroma that repels and confuses a number of pests, including mosquitoes, whiteflies, and of course also aphids. At the same time, Africans have the ability to limit soil pests, such as nematodes, which attack and weaken the roots.”
” specifically, they attack tomatoes by sucking plant juices, thereby weakening the plant. As they suck, they also produce honeydew, which coats the plant’s leaves and thus also clogs its pores. So the plant cannot “breathe” freely. Black molds then form on the honeydew, which limit photosynthesis. Another danger of aphids is that their honeydew attracts ants. Those protect the aphids from their natural predators and transfer them to other plants. This symbiosis is especially dangerous for tomatoes, as they are very sensitive and prone to fungal and fungal diseases.”
“Many gardeners liked the combination of tomatoes and Africans. Africans confuse pests with their strong scent, making it more difficult for them to find tomatoes, and at the same time attract beneficial insects such as pollinators, which will help the subsequent harvest to be rich. Africans also protect the soil, promoting healthy tomato growth and protecting the plants from fungi and other diseases. Tomatoes are very sensitive plants and are prone to fungal diseases and rot, especially tomato tip rot. That is why Africans are a great natural help.”
How to land the Africans
“For maximum effect, Africans are ideal for planting between individual tomato seedlings or as a border for a tomato bed. And you don’t have to worry about having to do a lot of extra work with them. They are relatively undemanding, tolerate drought well and bloom practically all summer. The more you plant, the better the effect and the more effective the protection. Africans are great natural helpers when you don’t want to use chemicals.” stated Ludmila for iReceptář.
