Cabbage Companion Planting
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Mustard (Brassicaceae) -- cool season
Good Companions for Cabbage
Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) undersown beneath cabbage significantly increases hover fly (Syrphidae) populations. Hover fly larvae are primary predators of cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae). Field trials show 50-70% aphid reduction.
Undersow alyssum at the time of transplanting brassicas. One alyssum plant per 3-4 square feet provides adequate floral resources.
- Flower power: promoting pest natural enemies of key brassica pests with sweet alyssum -- HortScience (2013)
- Conservation biological control of cabbage aphid by augmenting hoverfly populations -- Biological Control (2009)
Flowering dill attracts Cotesia glomerata and other parasitoid wasps that parasitize imported cabbageworm (Pieris rapae) larvae. Dill flowers also attract Chrysoperla (lacewing) adults.
Allow dill to flower among brassica beds. Remove spent flower heads to prevent excessive self-seeding if desired.
- Effects of floral provisioning on parasitism of imported cabbageworm -- Environmental Entomology (2001)
- Companion Planting for Brassica Pest Management -- Cornell Cooperative Extension (2016)
Onion interplanting reduces cabbage root fly (Delia radicum) oviposition by 30-50% through volatile-mediated olfactory masking. The dipropyl disulfide compounds in onion disrupt host-finding cues.
Alternate rows of onion and cabbage. Onion must be actively growing (not dormant) for volatile emission.
- The effect of non-host plant volatiles on the behaviour of the cabbage root fly -- Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (1988)
- Intercropping cabbage with onion reduces cabbage root fly incidence -- Journal of Applied Ecology (1991)
White clover living mulch reduces cabbage aphid populations by increasing ground beetle (Carabidae) abundance and providing habitat for generalist predators. Also fixes nitrogen and suppresses weeds.
Sow white clover 2-3 weeks after transplanting brassicas to avoid competition during establishment. Mow clover if it overtops seedlings.
- The effects of undersowing with clover on pest and predator populations in a cabbage crop -- IOBC/WPRS Bulletin (1999)
- Clover undersowing in brassicas: effects on aphids and ground beetles -- Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2002)
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) flowers attract hover flies and parasitoid wasps that prey on brassica pests. Chamomile root exudates may also suppress some soil-borne pathogens.
Plant chamomile at brassica bed edges. Both are cool-season compatible.
- Effect of companion plants on natural enemy populations in brassica crops -- Biological Agriculture & Horticulture (2007)
Rosemary volatile oils (1,8-cineole, camphor, alpha-pinene) mask brassica host-plant odors, reducing cabbage moth (Mamestra brassicae) and cabbage butterfly (Pieris rapae) oviposition.
Plant rosemary at brassica bed borders. Rosemary is perennial -- site it where it can remain year-round.
- Aromatic plants as repellents for cabbage moth and butterfly -- Crop Protection (2008)
- Essential oils from Lamiaceae plants as repellents of crop pests -- Journal of Stored Products Research (2012)
Thyme volatiles (thymol, carvacrol) deter cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae) oviposition through olfactory disruption. Thyme also provides ground-level habitat for predatory ground beetles (Carabidae).
Low-growing thyme works well as a living border or understory beneath tall brassicas.
- Aromatic herbs as companion plants for brassica pest management -- IOBC/WPRS Bulletin (2005)
- Effect of aromatic plant volatiles on Pieris rapae oviposition -- Journal of Chemical Ecology (2009)
Sage (Salvia officinalis) volatile compounds (thujone, 1,8-cineole) disrupt host-finding in cabbage white butterfly and cabbage moth. Sage also attracts predatory insects when flowering.
Plant sage at brassica bed edges. Like rosemary, sage is perennial and should be sited for long-term use.
- Aromatic herbs as companion plants for brassica pest management -- IOBC/WPRS Bulletin (2005)
Mint volatiles (menthol, menthone) disrupt cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae) host-finding. Field trials show reduced oviposition on brassicas when mint is interplanted.
CRITICAL: Grow mint in containers sunk into the bed or in a separate raised bed. Mint spreads aggressively by rhizome and will overtake garden beds.
- Olfactory responses of cabbage white butterfly to mint volatiles -- Journal of Chemical Ecology (2006)
Crops to Avoid Near Cabbage
Both cabbage and strawberry are susceptible to Verticillium dahliae. Growing them in proximity or in sequence increases soil inoculum load and disease pressure for both crops.
Also avoid in rotation. Do not plant brassicas where strawberries grew, or vice versa, for at least 3 years.
- Verticillium wilt of strawberry: biology and management -- Plant Disease (2006)
- Crop rotation and Verticillium wilt management -- UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines (2020)
Related Tools and Pages
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