Interplanting

Called companion planting by some and interplanting by others, the idea of planting two or more plants together to achieve a natural balance in the garden is an old practice. The theory behind it is that each plant benefits from the other.

Vintners in Europe have made a practice of planting roses at the end of grape trellises so that they could detect mildew and treat grapes before they could become affected.

Some plants, such as citronella and marigold contain natural pest repellent. Others, such as beans naturally increase the amounts of nitrogen in the soil. Still others, including corn or sunflowers can provide natural shade and trellising.

Why Interplanting?

In addition to natural pest control, studies have shown that plants that are put into the garden in beneficial groupings will naturally produce a higher yield and be more flavorful.

On top of that, some plant combinations can promote the overall health of the plants by attracting beneficial bugs. An example of this would be including dill in a butterfly garden to draw in caterpillars.

Still other plants can be selected as a ‘trap crop,’ or a plant that pests like more than your harvest crop. The pests will attack your trap crop and leave your harvest crop alone. You can deal with pests by ignoring them, picking them off the trap crop or disposing of the trap crop.

Choose Your Companions Carefully

When planting beneficial groupings, it’s wise to be aware that just as some plants can thrive when in the presence of one another, other plants will not grow well when planted together.

Plants That Make Good Companions

Rye: When mulched into your garden, rye grain that has been mown will release chemicals that prevent weed germination but do not harm transplanted vegetables.

Marigolds: Marigolds have strong pest-repelling properties. This makes them ideal to plant throughout your garden.

Basil: Basil is said to improve the flavor of tomatoes when planted nearby. It is also known to do do well when planted with oregano, peppers and asparagus.

Beans: Because beans return nitrogen to the soil, they are a good plant to use in crop rotation.

Additionally, Beans do well when planted with Corn. Pole beans will grow up the corn stalks, while returning nitrogen to the soil that the corn uses up.

Garlic: Garlic is known for repelling aphids and keeping black spot away. Plant near roses, peas, cucumbers, celery and lettuce.

Lavender: It is an established fact that the scent of lavender will repel moths and fleas. Lavender sachets have long been used in linen drawers as a natural moth deterrent. The flowers on a lavender bush will attract beneficial insects. Lavender planted under fruit trees will deter whiteflies.

Plants to Avoid Pairing Up.

• Alliums with beans. Members of the allium family such as garlic, chives, and leeks do not do well with beans.
• Onions with peas or asparagus.
• Tomatoes with carrots, Potatoes or Corn. The good news about tomatoes is that they go well with almost every other plant in your garden from Oregano to marigolds. In the warmest of climates, tomatoes are actually perennials that produce a crop every year. However in most climates, tomatoes are treated as an annual.

You can actually plant carrots with tomatoes, but their growth will be stunted. Potatoes and tomatoes should not be planted together because they can pass blight to one another. It’s also not wise to plant Corn with tomatoes, as the tall corn will provide too much shade for the sun-loving tomato plant. Additionally, the same bugs that feast on corn are also attracted to tomatoes.