Learn how to use the benefits of companion gardening to grow more healthy plants:
What is Companion Gardening?
We humans choose our life companions based on a lot of different factors, and if all goes right, our significant others compel us to be better versions of ourselves. Plants do not get to choose their company, but they have preferences just as much as we do.
Companion planting is a gardening strategy to maximize growth and crops by planting mutually beneficial plants next to each other. It takes more than sun, good soil, and nutrients. Relationships between plants are varied, similar to relationships between people. As in human communities, certain plants support each other while others just do not get along so well.
Plants, just like us, compete for space, resources, and nutrients. Some plants grow rapidly, crowd out others, and take more than their share of water, sun, and nutrients. Others exude toxins which can stunt growth or kill neighboring plants. Then there are the beneficial plants which add nutrients to their neighbors or provide climbing support. By growing plants with good companions, you bring peace and prosperity to your plant community and your garden overall.
What are The Benefits?
Attracting beneficial insects which aid in pollination is one benefit of companion planting. So is pest control – if you mix flowers and herbs with your veggies, the colors and scents confuse vegetable damaging pests. No chemicals needed!
Other benefits are shade regulation where large plants provide shade for smaller ones; natural supports where tall plants like corn and sunflowers support lower growing crops such as cucumber and peas; and improved plant health where one plant might absorb certain substances from the soil, thus changing the soil biochemistry in favor of nearby plants.
In addition, companion planting produces healthy soil – some plants help make nitrogen available, and plants with deep taproots bring up nutrients from deep in the soil enriching the topsoil for shallow-rooted plants. And another huge benefit is weed suppression. Planting sprawling crops like potatoes with upright plants minimizes open areas where weeds typically take hold.
How do I Get Started?
Just do it! Remember gardening is all about exploring and having fun in the process!
Start small, plant just a few plants, and see how it works for you. If you have a chance, read about the “Three Sisters,” the native American approach to companion gardening which involves planting corn, beans, and squash together. As the corn stalks grow, beans find support by climbing up the stalk. In turn, beans fix the nitrogen situation in the soil which supports the needs of the corn. Squash grows rapidly and the large leaves shade out weeds and serve as a natural weed block. This is an example of good plant companions which support each other.
Below are some links to websites that will help you choose your plant community. My favorite links to companion gardening websites are:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AUQSZ_4rXn0
https://www.almanac.com/native-american-gardening-techniques
https://www.almanac.com/content/companion-planting-chart-vegetables
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/companion-planting-guide
If you prefer books, try:
“Carrots love Tomatoes” by Louise Riotte
“Great Garden Companions” by Sally Jean Cunningham
Explore all the approaches of companion gardening, and – above all – have fun with it!
Happy Gardening!
Sabine Price
