Winter rye, a commonly used plant with allelopathic characteristics, must be allowed to decompose for several weeks before planting the following crop. Sunflowers, oats and wheat are other examples. The allelopathic effect diminishes fairly rapidly for most plants once they are incorporated into the soil. Beneficial insect habitat Beneficial insects flock to a garden with a broad diversity of plants. Our bug breakfast blend is specifically mixed to create a diversity of plants that will attract beneficials.
Some insects seek nectar to get through a period when their preferred food source is scarce.
For example, clover blossoms produce nectar that attracts hungry lacewings, honey bees, lady bugs, and wasps. Often, beneficial insects will be lured in to prey on the pest of a soil crop but then remain to control other pests on your vegetable crop. Bell beans attract large numbers of bean aphids which in turn attract lady beetles. After the lady beetles have finished off the bean aphids, they scout for other prey and may clean them out as well. Different plants harbor different populations of insect pests.