July 2, 2015

Most years I lose my kale and lingering brassicas to aphids. No so this year. Only one of about 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 the linked title above or this link–How to Control Aphids Organicallyfor many useful garden strategies.