The theory behind planting tomatoes near asparagus to ward off the beetle is based on tomatoes being a member of the solanacae family. Maybe another relative would work - eggplant or pepper? This assumes that this folk remedy actually works.asparagus beetles

There are lots of varieties, but it would be rather late for you to start seeds now. Windowbox Roma springs to mind, as one that might be available as a seedling. Other choices would be varieties sold for hanging baskets like Tumbling Tom. They would have to flop on the ground.

Linda

Most determinate tomatoes only get 3-4 feet tall. Dwarf tomatoes are also around that range. Then there are tomatoes like Red Robin that only get about a foot tall. Short tomatoes aren't too hard to find.

Personally, I would just spray the beetles and their larva. Companion planting isn't all it is claimed to be.

Rodney

Agree with the above. If your goal is to control the asparagus beetles then there are far more effective ways, both organic and synthetic. Neem Oil spray and hand picking of beetles is far more effective if you don't want to use chemicals. I have tomato plant beds on 3 sides of one of my asparagus beds and have had for years. Doesn't do anything for beetle control.

Dave

I guess I'll just stick to hand picking then. Thanks!

If you don't want to spray with Neem - I assume you know it is ORMI approved - then there are other techniques one can use in addition to hand picking the beetles.

https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/garden-pests/asparagus-beetle-control/

Dave

Ooooh! Good point! Actually, you've mostly swayed me on the neem. I'm always hesitant about unknown collateral damage (even if it has been ORMI approved) but at some point I have to use the evidence and data available and be practical. After last year's SVB invasion, I am way less hesitant about treatments that might have collateral damage. :) Thank you!

And by unknown collateral damage, I mean other leaf eaters. I know it doesn't hurt bees, ladybugs, worms, etc. I just don't usually kill things if they're not causing major problems.