Understanding the basics of trap cropping

Simple and effective, trap cropping has been a practical way of dealing with pests. Here is all you need to know about trap cropping and its benefits.

What is trap cropping?

This is a valuable companion technique used to protect your most prized veggie crops. Sometimes referred to as sacrificial crop plants, those plants are planted with the sole purpose of attracting garden pests away from your vegetable crop produce. The plants act as decoys to confuse pests and save your veggies garden.

Even though pests are a normal part of the garden, you still want them far away from your organic vegetables. The goal of this technique is to make gardening easier and more practical without the massive worry of pests destroying your vegetables.

Plants to use as trap crops

If you notice pest pressure in your veggie garden space, plant the following plants to eradicate the problem:

Grow marigolds near your tomato plants to prevent pests from attacking their roots.
Plant radishes and nasturtiums around your broccoli or kale, to trap pests that may attack your veggies.
Chervils might help in protecting some of your veggies, especially if you plant them around the veggies.
Nasturtiums and calendula can help to trap aphids.

So, planting a few of these trap crops will pull all the pests away from the rest of your favourite veggies.

People working on trap cropping plants(to protect their veggie garden)inside a greenhouse

Image Credit: Unsplash

Benefits of trap cropping plants

If you think practically about it, the technique is an organic way to deal with pests. You still want to produce healthy growing crops without relying heavily on inorganic ways. Trap cropping is beneficial in this way:

It improves the quality of your vegetables.
Reduces the use of pesticides
Trap cropping helps conserve the soil structure of your garden.
It keeps the pests in one place for easy disposal.
It lets pests do their thing while keeping your favourite veggie plants safe.
Allows abundant wildlife because birds and small animals will feast on the pests.