Are you a gardener who prefers to let nature do most of the work while you reap the rewards with minimal effort? If you’re nodding in agreement, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re about to embark on a journey into the fascinating world of companion planting, a gardening practice that not only lightens your workload but also elevates the natural beauty of your garden.
Companion planting is all about synergy, working hand in hand with the natural world rather than against it. In this blog post, we’ll unveil the numerous benefits of this gardening technique and unveil six tried-and-true plant combinations to help you cultivate a thriving vegetable garden without breaking a sweat
The Benefits of Companion Planting: Companion planting is a gardening strategy that brings numerous benefits to both your plants and your gardening experience. These benefits, as outlined in Jessica Wallister’s book “Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden” include:
1. Reduced pest pressure.
Minimizing pest damage tends to be the most sought-after benefit of companion planting. The research is mind-boggling, with countless studies looking at everything from how pests find their host plants to strategies for luring pests away from desired crops before they can cause significant harm. Companion planting to reduce pest pressure utilizes luring, trapping, tricking, and deterring pests to minimize vegetable garden damage.
2. Reduced weed pressure.
A reduction in weeds without the use of herbicides is another possible benefit of some companion planting strategies. Companion plants can also serve as a living mulch to reduce weed pressure through crowding and shading.
3. Reduced disease pressure.
Perhaps surprisingly, companion planting is being studied for its ability to suppress certain plant diseases. Though this branch of companion planting does not appear to be as well studied as some others, the interplay between disease organisms and the plants they affect can be influenced by specific companion planting strategies.
4. Improved soil fertility or structure.
Green manures and cover crops have long been used as companions to vegetable and grain crops, though primarily in larger agricultural operations. Home gardeners, too, can reap the benefits of these soil-building strategies when used properly, even on a small scale. Soil structure can also be improved by using certain plant partnerships, including those aimed at breaking up heavy clay soils or improving the condition of the soil through the presence of root exudates (compounds produced and excreted by the roots of living plants). Other companion planting techniques assist in nitrogen transfer to improve the fertility of the soil.
5. Improved pollination.
Companion plants are capable of improving garden yields by increasing the number and diversity of pollinators in the area. By carefully selecting plant partnerships that encourage and support the specific species of bees known to pollinate target crops, pollination rates may be improved.
6. Improved biological control.
Another benefit of certain companion planting techniques is an increase in the population and diversity of the many beneficial insect species that dine on common garden pests or use them to house and feed their developing young. Partnering plants that attract and support pest-eating insects results in greater biological control and fewer pest outbreaks in the garden. Companion plants can create habitat for these “good” bugs, as well as provide the insects with essential nutrition in the form of pollen and nectar. Plant partners can also be chosen for their ability to serve as “banker” plants that are intentionally grown to attract and support pests so that beneficial insects can use them as a food source when pest populations are low in crop plants. This practice may help improve or equalize the seasonal population of beneficial insects by giving them a reason to stick around. There are many studies under this umbrella that reveal some wonderful ways for gardeners to encourage a healthy balance between pests and the predatory and parasitic insects that help control them.
7. Improved aesthetics.
While monocultures do occasionally deserve a place in the garden (think slope-covering ground covers, for example), you’d be hard pressed to find a garden visitor who doesn’t find a mixed planting more attractive than a monoculture. Unlike on farms where row planting is necessary to simplify mechanical harvesting, home gardens are the perfect places to feature a mixed-planting design. And since layered gardens with many levels of plant structures and many growth habits, from ground covers to trees and everything in between, are more inviting to a broader diversity of insects and other wildlife, the aesthetics of companion planting come with additional benefits.
Each of these benefits is a topic worthy of deeper exploration.
Science-Backed Companion Plant Combinations: To help you get started with companion planting, here are six easy-to-follow plant combinations that have been proven in my garden:
Tomatoes + Peppers + Basil
Tomatoes and peppers share similar growing conditions and make for an ideal pairing. However, when planting these two nightshade crops side by side, you must pay special attention to spacing. Tomato plants require more space compared to peppers. It’s essential to ensure that your pepper plants have enough room and access to sunlight for healthy growth.
Now, let’s talk about basil, the aromatic superstar of this trio. Basil is not just a flavorful addition to your culinary creations but also a natural pest deterrent. Its fragrance can effectively ward off common garden nuisances like thrips, aphids, spider mites, and flies.
And if you have ample space to spare, consider adding carrots, celery, onions, lettuce, parsley, and spinach to this group.
Cucumber + Corn + Eggplant + Beans + Dill + Calendula This combination creates a harmonious mix of plants that support each other’s growth.
Zucchini + Nasturtium
Squash bugs can be a nightmare for gardeners, particularly those growing zucchini, squash, and cucumbers. However, research from Iowa State University has revealed an effective and eco-friendly method for squash bug control. The results are remarkable when zucchini and nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) share the same garden bed. Compared to zucchini growing in bare soil, those planted alongside nasturtiums experienced significantly fewer squash bugs and less damage.
Strawberries and Garlic
In 2016, a study titled “Intercropping Garlic to Reduce Spider Mites in Strawberry Crops” aimed to find a companion plant that could effectively reduce two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) infestations in strawberry fields.During the first year of the study, various companion plants, including chives, coriander, fennel, garlic, oregano, and sweet marjoram, were intercropped with strawberry plants. In the second year, garlic plants were intercropped between rows of strawberries.The results were quite promising. Intercropping garlic plants within strawberry rows had a substantial impact on TSSM populations:Intercropping one row of garlic between strawberry rows reduced TSSM mobile forms by 49% in greenhouses and 44% in the field.Intercropping two rows of garlic resulted in a 53% reduction in greenhouses and a 51% reduction in the field.Intercropping three rows of garlic led to a remarkable 60% reduction in TSSM mobile forms in greenhouses and an impressive 65% reduction in the field.Additionally, the study found that intercropping with garlic reduced TSSM eggs by 38% with one row, 43% with two rows, and a remarkable 64% with three rows in the field.These findings suggest that intercropping garlic plants between rows of strawberries is a promising and effective strategy for reducing two-spotted spider mite infestations. It’s a simple yet impactful solution that can make a significant difference in the health and yield of your strawberry crop.
Celery + Dill
When you pair celery with dill in your garden, you’re making a clever move. Here’s why it works so well:
Scent Shield: Dill’s robust fragrance cleverly conceals the scent of celery, creating a natural pest barrier that allows your celery to flourish without interference.
Beneficial Blooms: When dill bursts into bloom, it beckons beneficial insects to your garden. These helpful insects become your garden’s defenders, keeping pests in check and ensuring a healthier, thriving garden
Beets + Onions + Bush Beans: These three companions work together to promote healthy growth and reduce the likelihood of pest infestations.
What About Cabbages? Cabbages have their own set of companion plants, but I’ve found that using physical barriers like netting is a more reliable way to protect them from pests. For more information on safeguarding your cabbage crops, you can refer to my “Ultimate Eco-Friendly Guide: Protecting Your Cabbage Crops from Large White, Small White, and Cabbage Moth Caterpillars.”
Conclusion: Companion planting is a game-changer for lazy gardeners like myself. It not only reduces the workload but also results in healthier, more productive gardens. By grouping your favorite plants in combinations that benefit each other, you can achieve a bountiful and visually appealing vegetable garden. Say goodbye to monoculture and embrace the beauty and functionality of companion planting for a more enjoyable gardening experience. Your garden will thank you, and you’ll have more time to sit back and savor the fruits of your labor.
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