In a world of monocrops and monoculture , the historic period - sure-enough horticulture technique of familiar planting — the practice of arranging symbiotic plants in nigh law of proximity to one another — is more of import than ever . Whether you have a little balcony with a few vegetable in containers or several provoke beds overflow with foliage , companion planting is an well-situated method acting that anyone can utilize to safely discourage pests , increase return and grace their space .
Integrated Pest Management
Some plants exude chemicals from their roots , leaf and other part that naturally deter pest and , in round , make ideal neighbors to more vulnerable crop . This biochemicalinsect repellentis the core of fellow planting . But there are many other reasons to utilise this gardening practice .
For the organic urban farmer , companion planting is a agency to provide diversity in the garden , mirroring the diversity of flora and fauna found in nature . In this way , companion planting helps to pull good insect , bird and pollinator to the garden and offers them a riches of variety in food sources . Furthermore , the practice of companion planting cut the need for chemical substance pesticides because it eradicate the abundance of a undivided crop . When crops are intermixed , the insects that raven on just one plant will not be able to find ( and demolish ) it as easily . Your harvest will be masked by the array of foliage around them , jumble the “ bad bugs ” in the cognitive operation .
When plan your garden in late wintertime or former spring , take armoury of how many works of one crop you may grow . Should the garden scheme let in an abundance of one cultivar — let ’s saytomatoes — choose to imbed one-half of them to one side of the garden and the rest in another location . Then , interplant those with compatibles , such as asparagus andgarlic(see chart for more ) . This mode , your main crop is not in one easy - to - observe spot and has the added vantage of the insect - repelling aromatics of its neighbour .
Also consider the addition of flowers as associate in the veg patch . Many flowers are quite in effect at attracting good insects with their source of pollen and nectar , and can give off a strong aroma , deter other worm from your pabulum . Similarly , use herb for their effectiveness as well , interspersing them with veggie throughout the garden . Fennel , dill , yarrow and goldenrod will attract beneficials , such asbees , parasitic wasps and ladybugs , some of which will prey on the dirt ball ’s purpose on consuming your veggie plant .
Physical and Spatial Interaction
While companion planting is traditionally successful on a biochemical point , physically placing crops as they would benefit from others will increase your yields and extend your growing season , too . look at how each variety grows , how much light it call for and its spacing requirements when laying out your garden .
Each class , I seek to point my outpouring lettuces and other specter - lie with greens in the phantasm of taller crops , such as bet on tomato plant plants or sweet peppers . Also call “ nurse cropping , ” these larger crops can render auspices and windbreak for smaller or more fragile cultivar and lengthen their growing season .
The (Other) Three Sisters
Squash ( butternutandacorn ) , corn and bean , a radical of veg also know as “ the three sisters ” in traditional aboriginal American agriculture , is perhaps the best good example of successful fellow traveler planting . When grown together , the three crops reciprocally profit one another . The corn provides a trellis for thebeansto grow on . The beans stabilise the corn and return atomic number 7 to the soil , increase fertility for future years ’ ontogeny . The squash , when grow below the corn , acts as dwell mulch , shading the area beneath , preventingweed growthand keep wet in the dirt . The squash ’s spiny foliage also repulse pestilence on a non - chemic level , assure that bugs do n’t build up a resistance .
If you ’re newfangled to companion planting , however , an easy place to commence is with liberal manipulation of the come after three crops , which I call the “ other three sister . ” Use these three anywhere in the garden as their companions are rich :
quite a little : A pleasant - smelling but robustious crop , plants in the mint phratry ( especially catnip ) will deteraphidsand cabbage moths and are medicinal to charge . But because mint will spread rapidly and take over any free bit of soil , prefer to develop it in container and strategically place around the garden . If you prefer to have plenty in near law of proximity to your crop , channelize it to a charge card passel , and then burry the container up to the lip in the soil to comprise the source .
Marigolds : The strong aroma of these flowers has long been in effect at deterring pests in the garden , so plant them generously throughout your vegetable bottom . At the destruction of the time of year , allow the flowers to dry and harvest seeds from your favorite and most good varieties for institute in the following yr .
SweetBasil : Chances are , you ’re probably already growing basil in your garden , but in causa you ’re not , I hope to convert your mind . Sweet basil repels aphids , edible asparagus beetles , mosquitoes and mites , and stunts the maturation of milkweed bugs . It also repels thetomatohornworm and is said to better the taste of tomatoes . In some instances , sweet sweet basil can act as a fungicide , and in all instances , it get to a mingy pesto ( are you convinced yet ? ) .
Companion planting is an easy technique to employ in most any garden , and the benefits in pest management and payoff are well deserving the small bit of extra planning that goes into the mental process . eventually , do n’t undervalue the optical appeal of companion planting — a mix of flower colors , leafage shapes and leaf textures adds a act of whimsey that ca n’t be beat .
