Every season brings its challenges, and pest pressure is always near the top of the list. Trap Cropping is a natural, effective way to protect main crops from destructive insects without over-relying on sprays. By attracting pests away from main crops, farmers can try to kill early generations before they get to be a problem in the fields. Many organic farms use this strategy, but whether you’re growing on an acre or in a backyard plot, this method can make a big difference.

Cucumbers

Striped cucumber beetles show up early and chew through young plants, often spreading bacterial wilt.

It’s recommended to plant Blue Hubbard squash as a perimeter trap crop. It draws the beetles in before they get to the cucumbers. Studies have shown that the beetles prefer Cucurbita maxima crops (e.g. buttercup and hubbard squashes and giant pumpkins) than C. pepo or C. moschata crops (e.g. pumpkins, summer squash, butternut squash, other winter squash).
In a home garden, just one or two Blue Hubbard plants on the edge of a raised bed or garden row can help.

Squash

Squash bugs and squash vine borers are tough to manage, especially in mid-summer.

Early plantings of Yellow Crookneck or Delicata squash can help. These attract pests first, giving farmers a chance to scout and remove eggs or infested plants before the pests reach their main varieties.

For the home garden, you can start one or two sacrificial squash plants a couple of weeks early. Plant them away from your main crop and monitor closely.

Potatoes

Colorado potato beetles can wipe out foliage fast if left unchecked.

Interplanting eggplant as a border trap can help—apparently beetles love it even more than potatoes! Planting a couple of eggplants in containers or beds near your potatoes can do the trick. Just be sure to check them regularly to remove any beetles and eggs you might find on the underside of the leaves.

Final Tips for All Scales

• Start your trap crops slightly earlier than your main planting so they’re ready to intercept pests.
• Scout regularly—don’t forget the trap crops! They’re meant to attract, so stay vigilant.
• Use this method with other tools like row covers, crop rotation, and companion planting for the best results.

We haven’t tried this exact method at Stearns but it’s another great way to work with nature instead of against it and to reduce the need to spray! 

Until next time,

Ember