Not all earthworms are beneficial for the vegetable garden. While some help aerate the soil, others are rather harmful to plants because they feed on their leaves and roots. This is the case with the white grubs of the cockchafer. To protect your vegetable garden from these pests, you can cultivate certain plants known for their repellent action. Find out which plant to grow in the vegetable garden to chase away the worms that destroy the harvest.
Some worms are very harmful to plants. This is particularly the case for the white grub of the cockchafer. This one is fond of vegetable plants with fleshy roots or tubers. In the event of an attack, the growth of the plant slows down or even stops completely. The plant then turns yellow and may die. If you inspect an attacked plant, you will notice that the roots and crown are bitten or severed, especially in the case of young plants.
Which plant to grow in the vegetable garden to chase away the worms that destroy the harvest?
Certain flowering plants are very useful in the vegetable garden. They help repel parasites and thus protect crops from attacks by certain insects. This is the case of calendula officinalis, also called marigold or garden marigold. This flowering plant is effective in repelling worms, but also aphids, flies, and other insects which pose a danger to crops. Indeed, its repellent action allows it to defend itself from parasites, but also to defend the plants around it. You can cultivate it to protect your vegetable plants from attacks by worms, particularly white grubs from the cockchafer. These particularly attack beets, carrots, potatoes and turnips. In addition to keeping white grubs away, marigold flowers also have the particularity of attracting butterflies and pollinating insects, essential for the balance of the ecosystem.
Native to southern Europe, marigold is an aromatic flowering plant from the Asteraceae family. This annual plant with deciduous foliage is easy to grow. In fact, it adapts to all soils, even the poorest. The marigold fears frost and prefers a sunny location. It can even withstand heat, but on condition that the earth remains cool.
The marigold can be planted in October or March, for regions with a mild climate. On the other hand, for regions further north, it must be planted from April. The most common technique for planting marigold is sowing. To do this, sow a few seeds directly in the vegetable garden, in the ground, and cover the seedlings with soil. Note that it is important to water the soil regularly, in order to keep it fresh. After the seedlings have emerged, remember to remove the fragile plants, in order to keep only the young vigorous shoots. During this operation, be sure to keep an interval of 25 cm between two plants.
What are the other solutions to eliminate worms in the vegetable garden?
To get rid of worms in the vegetable garden, you can use these tips:
- Sand to chase away worms
To prevent worms from worming their way onto plants, consider sprinkling a thin layer of sand on the surface of the soil. This will make it more difficult for the worms to lay their eggs.
- Mustard flour to eliminate worms
To eliminate the white grubs that attack your vegetable plants, consider diluting a little mustard flour in water and using this solution to water your plants.
- Entomophagous nematodes to fight worms
Nematodes are worms considered beneficial to the garden. They are called entomophagous because they feed on insects. That said, they allow you to naturally fight against caterpillars or chafer larvae present in the soil. To do this, you can water the soil in your vegetable garden with an organic product based on entomophagous nematodes, which you can find in a garden center.
