Categories: Blog

Companion Planting-Healthy Garden

Companion planting has been around since the beginning of gardening time. An ancient gardener once realized that situating certain plants could either enhance the growth of the plant and keep harmful pests from destroying both or that they would hog all the nutrients in the soil and eventually kill each other. The Native Americans were masters at companion planting. They planted corn, squash and beans all together. The squash would grow at the roots of the corn, keeping weeds from interfering and the beans would grow up the corn stalks protecting the stalks from being beaten down by the wind and creating the first vertical garden. The squash and bean blossoms would attract beneficial insects. The beans put nitrogen back into the soil, which enhanced the growth of the corn. Try a ‚”three sisters” garden sometime and just watch how your corn, beans, and squash or pumpkins grow. It might look a little messy, but it is well worth it.

Companion gardening methods have been passed down from generation to generation but there is actually a science to it. Rhododendrons enjoy acidic soil so we know that they grow well around pine trees that lend acid to the area around which they grow.

Some gardeners plant marigolds all around their garden because their unpleasant scent frightens rabbits away, and some French marigolds exude a toxic substance into the soil that will kill nematodes. Gardeners from the past have been known to sew a thick crop of marigolds one year to rid themselves of the nematodes and then to plant regular crops successfully the next year. Honey bees these days are sometimes hard to find and are essential to the fertilization process of some plants.

Situating bee attracting plants near those that need these insects to fertilize their flowers can only benefit both. The herb Lemon Balm, also called Melissa, is one of the best bee attracting plants around. Bees love its fragrant flowers and when they come to visit they will ultimately stray to zucchini and squash flowers. The only problem with Lemon Balm is that it tends to be invasive. One good way to prevent it from choking out your vegetable crops is to plant it in a deep container and place the container in and amongst the vines. Just make sure to water the container a little more than you would the actual garden.

Other symbiotic relationships between plants where pests are concerned are as follows: 4-O’clocks planted near roses will deter Japanese beetles, as the 4-O’clocks are toxic to them. Garlic planted under peach trees will deter borers. Basil planted with tomatoes will get rid of hornworm and tomatoes near asparagus will banish asparagus beetle. Planting thyme and lavender around your garden will keep slugs away.

Another interesting thing about companion planting is that it was designed for those who have small areas in mind. Look back at the Three Sisters and you will see that there are three crops growing all in the same location. Rose bushes can be protected by growing chives at the base and this doesn’t look all that terrible. The chives will deter aphids and you’ll have plenty of this lovely, onion-like plant to put on baked potatoes.

When deciding what neighbors to plant near your flowers and vegetables remember never to plant two plants together that will compete for the same nutrient in the soil or that have differing watering needs. You don’t want to plant something that needs a great deal of water to grow next to another that doesn’t like to get its roots wet. This might take alot of experimentation but it is worth the time and trouble. Modern gardeners have the advantage of the knowledge of those who have gardened in the past and found these relationships between plants. We have their tried and true folklore on which to draw.

Plant basil near tomatoes and peppers but never near rue.
Beets go well with bush beans, cabbage, lettuce and onions but never near pole beans.
Bush beans get along with just about anyone but onions.
Cabbage is also happy with anyone but Pole beans and strawberries.
Carrots hate dill but love tomatoes, lettuce, onions, peas and radishes.
Never plant corn near tomatoes.
Cucumber doesn’t like potatoes but loves everyone else.
Onions compete with beans and peas but love the rest of the garden plants.
Plant your potatoes away from cucumbers, pumpkins, squash and tomatoes as well as raspberries.