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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: davejg on June 13, 2011, 13:08:08

Title: Tomatoes & french marigolds
Post by: davejg on June 13, 2011, 13:08:08
Anyone tried planting these together, supposed to keep whitefly away?
Title: Re: Tomatoes & french marigolds
Post by: Stevens706 on June 13, 2011, 13:10:35
I do this every year since I had a white fly infestation in the greenhouse, seems to work, haven't had an attack since.
Title: Re: Tomatoes & french marigolds
Post by: Trevor_D on June 13, 2011, 13:20:21
I always do it. Never had whitefly on tomatoes, so I assume it's doing some good! (It looks pretty, too!)

Apparently, the marigolds secrete something into the soil which deters whitefly and similar pests. Not being a scientist, I don't actually understand these things, but I'm assured it's true. (I always thought it was their smell that did the trick.)
Title: Re: Tomatoes & french marigolds
Post by: manicscousers on June 13, 2011, 13:50:15
me, too, plus I let a coriander go to seed in there, brings in bug eating hoverflies  :)
Title: Re: Tomatoes & french marigolds
Post by: meg_gordon on June 13, 2011, 13:58:12
Quote from: manicscousers on June 13, 2011, 13:50:15
me, too, plus I let a coriander go to seed in there, brings in bug eating hoverflies  :)

Great idea manicscousers - will have to try this this year.  I always have french marigolds in the greenhouse and never had white fly - and it is nice to have a splash of colour.

Meg
Title: Re: Tomatoes & french marigolds
Post by: 1066 on June 13, 2011, 15:57:43
so there is something to do with corriander that has gone to seed! Love it  :)
Title: Re: Tomatoes & french marigolds
Post by: landimad on June 13, 2011, 16:13:48
I am trying this again with the addition of nasturtiums too.
Title: Re: Tomatoes & french marigolds
Post by: antsinmipants on June 13, 2011, 18:16:40
Yep, Marigolds planted with Tomatoes is a must for me every season because it works! :)
Title: Re: Tomatoes & french marigolds
Post by: davyw1 on June 13, 2011, 20:45:41
Quote from: Trevor_D on June 13, 2011, 13:20:21
I always do it. Never had whitefly on tomatoes, so I assume it's doing some good! (It looks pretty, too!)

Apparently, the marigolds secrete something into the soil which deters whitefly and similar pests. Not being a scientist, I don't actually understand these things, but I'm assured it's true. (I always thought it was their smell that did the trick.)

You were right in thinking it was the smell its to pungent for the white fly.

Nasturtiums are best among brasica as caterlillers cant resist them so they leave the brasica alone

Dill is a great attractor of hover fly
Title: Re: Tomatoes & french marigolds
Post by: davejg on June 14, 2011, 00:26:52
Thanks guys gonna try the coriander trick right away and try the frenchies if i can get atray
Title: Re: Tomatoes & french marigolds
Post by: shirlton on June 14, 2011, 06:50:13
We plant the marigolds in the GH every year and no problem. I plant coriander on the allotment cos I like the smell of it.
Title: Re: Tomatoes & french marigolds
Post by: royforster on June 22, 2011, 20:56:35
I always plant French Marigolds, Coriander and Basil (with the toms)  - all are pungent and seem to keep the baddies away - esp in the polytunnel and of course basil goes great with toms in the kitchen.
Title: Re: Tomatoes & french marigolds
Post by: InfraDig on June 22, 2011, 22:02:21
Marigolds have been successful for me too
Title: Re: Tomatoes & french marigolds
Post by: Duke Ellington on June 22, 2011, 22:11:09
Growing basil in the greenhouse with my tomatoes works for me.