Cover Crops & Deterrent Plants

Cover crops are plants that are grown in between seasons or between the main crops in a field. They have a number of benefits for growing outdoors, including improving soil structure and fertility, suppressing weeds, and attracting beneficial insects. Some examples of cover crops for outdoor cultivation include legumes (such as beans and peas), brassicas (such as mustard and turnips), and cereals (such as oats and rye).

One way to use cover crops in outdoor cultivation is to plant them as a "green manure." This involves planting the cover crops, allowing them to grow for a short period of time, and then tilling them into the soil before the main crop is planted. The cover crops will decompose in the soil, releasing nutrients that can be taken up by the plants.

Another way to use cover crops is to plant them in between rows of plants. This can help suppress weeds and improve soil structure, as the cover crops will outcompete weeds for light, water, and nutrients. Cover crops can also attract beneficial insects, such as pollinators and predatory insects that can help control pests.

In addition to cover crops, there are also a number of plants that can be used as deterrents in outdoor cultivation. These plants produce chemicals that can deter pests or inhibit the growth of weeds. Some examples of deterrent plants for cannabis cultivation include marigold, basil, and chrysanthemum.

Marigold is a popular deterrent plant for cannabis cultivation because it produces a chemical called pyrethrum, which is toxic to many insects. Basil is also a good deterrent plant because it produces a chemical called citral, which can deter pests such as aphids and mites. Chrysanthemum is another effective deterrent plant because it produces pyrethrins, which are toxic to many insects.

There are a few other points to consider when using cover crops and deterrent plants in gardening:

1. Choose the right cover crops and deterrent plants for your climate and soil type. Some plants may not be well suited to certain climatic conditions or soil types, so it's important to do your research and choose plants that are appropriate for your area.

2. Pay attention to timing. Cover crops and deterrent plants should be planted at the appropriate time of year to ensure that they have time to grow and provide benefits to your garden.

3. Use cover crops and deterrent plants in combination with other pest control methods. While these plants can be effective at deterring pests and inhibiting weed growth, they may not completely eliminate these problems. It's a good idea to use cover crops and deterrent plants in combination with other pest control methods, such as crop rotation, mulching, and mechanical control (such as hand-weeding).

4. Monitor the effectiveness of cover crops and deterrent plants. It's important to keep track of how well cover crops and deterrent plants are working in your garden. If you notice that pests or weeds are still a problem, you may need to try different plants or consider using additional pest control methods.

List of Deterrent Plants

It's important to note that while these plants can be effective at deterring pests, they may not completely eliminate pest problems. It's a good idea to use deterrent plants in combination with other pest control methods, such as crop rotation, mulching, and mechanical control (such as hand-weeding). Additionally, some of these plants may not be well suited to all growing conditions, so it's important to do your research and choose plants that are appropriate for your setup.