Companion planting gardeners only please. Does proximity matter? How close do companions have to be?

Question

Obviously in the same garden, but do they have to be growing right next to each other to be fully effective?

I've read that peppermint repels flea beetles. Peppermint is soooooooo invasive! Can I just cut the leaves off of a PMint plant elsewhere, and scatter it on what I want to protect? Or make a spray?

Answer 1

Yes, you can cut some mint and use around the base of your plants. Cut your mint very early in the morning while the essential oils are strongest.
There are many other plants which also have repellent qualities for flea beetles. Any plant growing as a companion should be close enough for the leaves or roots, depending on which the benefit derives from, to form a barrier. Sage or Marigolds, for instance, can be 2-4 feet away, while a rosemary will help deter pests from as far as 8 feet away. Try annual companions such as petunias, opal basil or mint which can be hand pulled or weedwhacked to control. Garlic is also very effective, as are many plants in the onion family, such as allium. Citronella plants work quite well and may also be cut and scattered around to deter pests.

Here is a site with more ideas:

http://www.aces.edu/counties/Limestone/MastGard/companions.htm

Good luck!
gg

Answer 2

Well, you could try putting peppermint into a bunch of pots, and place them around the flea-beetle-victims. See if it helps.

However, I think if you have them already there, they might just eat their plant of choice, and not care that there is mint a foot away.

You might try some homemade repellant spray. SPray directly on the leaves. And reapply after rain, or every few days regardless.

1 whole head of garlic, mashed
1 tablespoon fresh crushed cayenne pepper
1/4 onion, mashed
2 quarts warm water

Add together, allow to steep for two or three days. Strain into a pump spray bottle, and add a drop or two of a mild dishwashing liquid detergent. This really works well against flea beetles as well as other insects.