Manage Aphids Organically

This is a repost from about five years ago when I did a garden experiment with my kale. I’m growing kale again this year and repeating this practice to control aphids organically. Check back tomorrow for another post on the the research behind the practice described below.

Most years I lose my kale and lingering brassicas to aphids. Not so this year. Only one of fifteen kale plants were troubled by aphids. 

Was it the alyssum planted in a pot and stationed next to the kale? Alyssum, attracts hoverflies, whose larvae feed on aphids. I won’t know for sure but I will probably do it next year.

Only one of the fifteen kale plants was affected but I was reluctant to let it play out—the beneficials vs. the aphids. I feared the infestation might spread to the other plants so I pulled the kale overrun by aphids. Some gardeners allow small aphid colonies in the garden to feed beneficials.

Follow this link–How to Control Aphids Organically for many useful garden strategies.