The Marigold
They are a tomatoes best friend. And bush beans, potatoes, broccoli, squash, eggplant, and kale. Really they’re friends with everyone.
Marigolds are beautiful, colorful, and attract pollinators. But best of all, Marigolds have been shown to repel nematodes... a devastating worm that targets vegetable roots.
There is a substance released by Marigold roots called alpha-terthienyl, one of the most toxic naturally occurring compounds found. This compound is nematicidal, insecticidal, antiviral, and cytotoxic. The presence of alpha-terthienyl inhibits the hatching of nematode eggs, but won’t kill an adult nematode.
Marigolds can also deter slugs, tomato hornworms, and other pests that love to munch on tomatoes.
Also, it makes me really happy to see the pops of color as I very impatiently wait for all the green plants to ripen.