Why companion planting in the garden ensures more effective growth – San Bernardino Sun

Boost the richness and health of your garden with these eco-friendly, pesticide-reducing companion plant techniques. Photo credit: Depositphotos.

By Laura Samson

Companion planting is a method of gardening in which plants are placed close together for mutual benefit. It’s a permaculture tactic and a practice as old as agriculture itself. Using this method can greatly improve your harvests while protecting soil health.

The practice of companion planting is rooted in the understanding that certain plants can improve the growth, flavor and health of nearby plants. By strategically pairing plants, gardeners can create an ecosystem that promotes biodiversity and sustainability.

Why we should practice companion planting

There are so many valuable reasons to practice this gardening technique. The three main benefits of companion planting include using fewer pesticides, growing better crops, and being more environmentally friendly to our planet.

Dan Morris, an experienced gardener and author of Fire and Saw, says, “Companion plants are useful for a variety of purposes. In our garden we mainly do it for pest control, attracting pollinators, shade and sharing nutrients.”

Common combinations of companion plants

There are a few popular companion plants that you can easily use right away. Choose from these popular combinations and increase your garden’s yield.

Plant tomatoes together with basil, as basil helps repel insects and is believed to improve the flavor of tomatoes. Likewise, carrots and onions work well together because the smell of onions can deter carrot flies, while carrots are said to repel onion flies and aphids, making them a great pair. Another popular combination is bean plants and corn. The beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits the corn, while corn stalks provide a natural trellis for the bean vines to climb.

Radishes can help repel cucumber beetles and other pests, so planting radishes and cucumbers together protects the cucumbers. Planting tall flowers such as marigolds or nasturtiums with lettuce can provide shade for the lettuce, which prefers cooler temperatures, and can help repel pests. Pigweed can attract leaf miners away from pepper plants. Be sure to remove the pigweed before going to seed.

Marigolds are known to repel nematodes and other garden pests, making them beneficial when planted near many vegetables. Nasturtiums can repel squash bugs and other pests and protect squash plants.

Plant cabbage and dill together. The dill will attract beneficial wasps that prey on cabbage worms and provide natural protection for cabbage and related plants. When you plant borage together with strawberries, it strengthens the strawberries’ resistance to diseases and pests and can improve the taste.

This is by no means a complete list of useful pet planting options. There are many more to choose from. Often a master gardener in your area can help you with more combinations for your specific needs.

What not to plant together

It’s equally important when planning your plant companions to look for combinations of plants that don’t work well together. Sometimes plants from the same family can cause more diseases in your gardens due to competition for resources, the attraction of pests or negative chemical interactions. Some plants actively ensure that others cannot grow optimally, such as onions and beans.

Who should try this planting technique?

Anyone interested in gardening, from beginners to experts, can benefit from companion planting. It is especially attractive to people who value organic gardening, sustainability and creating a more diverse garden environment. Large or small, all crop sizes will benefit from companion planting.

If you love flowers in your garden, adding plants like calendulas and marigolds to almost any garden is a great way to get started. They are easy to grow from seeds, attract pollinators and often repel soil pests.

When to plant a companion plant?

Companion planting can be done at any time during the planting season. It’s a principle that can be applied when you sow seeds directly into the ground and plant those seeds around another useful seed. If you are transplanting seedlings, add some plants from the list above. If you are planning your garden layout, now is a good time to add areas for beneficial plants to your plan this year.

Where can you use a companion plant?

Companion planting is versatile and can be useful in gardens of all sizes. Whether you have an expansive outdoor garden, a small plot in the backyard or even containers on a balcony or windowsill, incorporating companion plants is almost always beneficial.

Essentially, companion planting is a holistic approach to gardening that emphasizes the relationships between plants. It’s a practice that can not only lead to a healthier, more productive garden, but also promote a deeper connection with the natural world.

Laura Sampson of Little House Big Alaska is on a mission to teach modern, family-oriented home cooks how to make old-fashioned food new again. She shares her passion for home cooking, backyard gardening and homesteading on her website and blog.