A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum The Tomato Forum Companion planting w/nasturtiums

I am hoping that someone with a little more gardening experience can answer a few questions about companion planting. Every year, my vegetable garden is infested with aphids, and there doesn’t seem to be any easy fix for the problem. I’m hoping to try some companion planting this year as a sort of scientific experiment, and I could use a little advice. Internet sources are unreliable with conflicting information, so here goes.

I want to plant some nasturtiums, but I have heard two completely opposite reasons for why this helps to control aphids. Some sources suggest that nasturtiums repel the aphids, keeping them away from the tomatoes. Other sources suggest the exact opposite, that the flowers actually attract the aphids as a trap crop. Still another source suggests that the color of the flower determines whether the plant attracts or repels the aphids. Can anyone make any sense of this?

Two years ago I planted a marigold border around the tomatoes, which seemed to help a little, but this may be attributed to the sudden increase in daddy long legs (harvesters). Apparently they really like the marigolds because I’ve never seen so many in my garden before. I’m thinking about planting the nasturtiums in an area near the tomatoes but not right next to them if the flowers attract aphids. However, if the flowers repel aphids, then I would want to plant a border similar to the marigolds. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I believe we ALL can relate to getting swamped with internet info that is either contradictory, opinionated, or just partial info.
I don't know anything about nasturtiums. maybe they grow better where you are than where I am, or maybe it's a plant I need to look into getting!?! interesting! Marigolds are considered your garden 'work horse'. they are an all around great companion plant! I've read they also put nutrients back into the soil? don't really understand that, but I'm sure I read it somewhere.
butterfly weed is wonderful for apid prob. (someone should be around shortly to give the exact name of that plant - butterfly weed is the common name) in the case of butterfly weed. that plant attracts the apids which in turns attracts lady bugs (your good bugs)
there is a certain type of wasp that lay eggs in the tomato horn worm. I can't identify that wasp by site, so I leave all wasps nest be that are anywhere near my garden.

I am in the inland Pacific Northwest (US), which has a short growing season. I've never had any problems with any pests except for aphids and stink bugs. As you suggested, I am planning to include some plants that will attract predatory wasps. My plan for attracting the wasps is to plant some dill, which will double as a main ingredient for my pickling cucumbers. I haven't heard of butterfly weed, but I will definitely look it up. Lady bugs and green lacewings show up every year but not in great enough numbers to have much of an effect. Does the butterfly weed attract any butterflies? That would be a big bonus.

Yes, it is a favorite of the monarch! I should have mentioned that.

butterfly weed is Aesclepius Tuberosa (sp?)
It attracts a lot of butterflies and wasps. Echinacea (purple coneflower) is great for attracting butterflies and wasps, so is Achillea, cosmos, penta, zinnia. I've noticed that aphids always show up on my sunflowers, and hundreds of ladybugs show up to eat them.

Chives is a good companion plant for tomatoes to deter aphids.