Before planting my zucchini and cucumbers earlier this spring I read in Great Garden Companions that radishes could be used as a "trap crop" to deter cucumbers beetles and squash borers. So I planted many around my mounds of both crops. Earlier this week I discovered the radishes are doing their job.
Here is a picture of our zucchini plant with the radishes in front. This photo is just of whole mess of green, there is also a tomato, a renegade sunflower and a raspberry peeking in but can you see that the radish leaves (the long ones towards the bottom) have many holes in them?
This is what the radishes look like underground.
Nasty. Underdeveloped. And with little white larvae. I think they are cucumber beetle babies. Anyone?
The adult cucumber beetles are quite attractive, though I have hardened my heart to squishing them. (Mom, I know you are chuckling. Everyone else, I made a t-shirt once that said "Save the Bugs" with a very sweet, smiling beetle on it.) I am usually kind to bugs and other critters but I no longer see them all as sweet and smiling. I suppose they are just doing their job, but so am I.
My zucs and cucs are looking beautiful. Their leaves have very little damage and I would like to think that the radishes have helped.
I welcome bugs in my yard. They just have to be the kinder ones.
