Description
Book SynopsisThis revised and updated edition of Jessica Walliser’s award-winning Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden offers a valuable and science-backed plan for bringing balance back to the garden.
With this indispensable gardening reference—now updated with new research, insights, and voices—learn how to create a healthy, balanced, and diverse garden capable of supporting a hard-working crew of beneficial pest-eating insects and eliminate the need for synthetic chemical pesticides.
After a fascinating introduction to the predator and prey cycle and its importance to both wild ecosystems and home gardens, you’ll meet dozens of pest-munching beneficial insects (the predators) that feast on garden pests (their prey). From ladybugs and lacewings to parasitic wasps and syrphid flies, these good guys of the bug world keep the natural system of checks and balances in prime working order. They help limit
Trade Review
Praise for the first edition of Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden:
“Jessica Walliser lets readers in on the secrets to a garden that buzzes with activity. Her profiles, on the insects that fight pests and the best plants for attracting them, offer clear, practical tips.” —Martha Stewart Living
“An aid for teachers as well as gardeners, who want to know more about the insects in their world.” —The Indianapolis Star
“With [Jessica Walliser’s] help, you can learn how to control pests through your gardening practices rather than your choice of insecticide.” —Gardening How-To
“A detailed, wholistic, and wonderfully illustrated guide to the lifestyles of all the insects that inhabit the organic garden as well as creating the conditions needed to encourage those you want in the fight against those you don’t.” —Planet Natural
“A delight! Easy to read and entertaining, yet packed with information not only on the beneficial insects themselves, but on the plants that can attract and support them, and on how to incorporate them into your garden. Highly recommended!” —It’s Not Work, It’s Gardening
“Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden by Jessica Walliser, is a fresh look at an unavoidable part of the gardening experience.... a must-have tool for new and experienced gardeners alike.” —Free Press
“Learn to identify good bugs and bad bugs…and what to plant to lure the cavalry.” —Newsday
"In this new version, Walliser offers even more science-based advice to gardeners. I recommend reading (her) updated work to get off to a running start." * Horticulture *
"...offers a sciencebacked plan for bringing balance back to the garden. Filled with new research, insights, and voices, the book will help you create a healthy and diverse garden capable of supporting beneficial, pest-eating insects and eliminate the need for synthetic chemical pesticides." * Michigan Gardener *
Table of Contents
Introduction
How a Horticulturist Came to Bugs
All About Beneficials
Who They Are, How They Work, and What They Eat
Beneficial Bug Profiles
Meet the Predators and the Parasitoids
Gardening for Bugs
Where Plants and Insects Intersect
Plant Profiles
The Best Plants for Beneficials
Your Beneficial Border
A Guide to Designing for the Bugs
Companion Planting
Battling Pests with Plant Partnerships
Putting It All Together
Who the Beneficials Eat and What to Plant
The Commercial Stuff
Purchased Beneficials, Good Bug Lures, Supplemental Foods, and Seed Blends
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Resources
Index
