Companion Plants, Repel Pests And Grow Your Garden the Natural Way

Companion planting is an ancient gardening technique that involves growing different plants together to improve their growth and yield. The phrase "companion plant" is used to describe a plant that is cultivated near another plant with the aim of offering mutual advantages, including boosting the fertility of the soil, warding off pests, luring pollinators, and augmenting flavor.

History of Companion Planting

Companion planting has been practiced for centuries by different cultures around the world. Native Americans, for example, grew "Three Sisters" - corn, beans, and squash - together in a symbiotic relationship. The corn provided a support structure for the beans to climb, the beans fixed nitrogen in the soil, and the squash provided ground cover to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

In Europe, medieval monks used companion planting to create productive and sustainable gardens. They observed that certain plants grown together had beneficial effects on one another, such as deterrence of pests and diseases.

How Companion Planting Helps Other Plants

Companion planting works by exploiting the natural synergies between plants. For example, some plants secrete chemicals that repel or attract insects, while others have deep or shallow roots that access different layers of soil and nutrients. By planting complementary plants together, gardeners can improve soil health, increase yields, and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Types of Companion Plants

There are different types of companion plants, each with its unique benefits. Here are some of the most common types:

Nitrogen fixers: Plants like beans, peas, and clover, have the ability to fix nitrogen from the air and store it in their roots, making it available to other plants in the soil.

Pest repellents: Plants like marigolds, garlic, and onion, produce chemicals that repel pests, reducing the need for synthetic pesticides.

Pollinator attractors: Plants like sunflowers, lavender, and thyme, attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, improving fruit and vegetable yields.

What Plants to Plant Together and Why

Here are some examples of companion planting and the reasons why they work:

• Tomatoes with Basil:Basil repels tomato hornworms and enhances the flavor of tomatoes.
• Carrots with Onions:Onions repel carrot flies, while carrots attract beneficial insects that prey on onion pests.
• Cucumbers with Radishes:Radishes repel cucumber beetles, while cucumbers provide shade for radishes.
• Peppers with Marigolds:Marigolds repel pests that attack pepper plants, while their flowers attract pollinators.
• Corn with Beans:Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits corn, while corn provides support for beans to climb.
• Squash with Nasturtiums:Nasturtiums repel squash bugs and enhance the flavor of squash.
• Broccoli with Chamomile:Chamomile repels pests that attack broccoli, while its flowers attract beneficial insects.
• Lettuce with Chives:Chives repel aphids that attack lettuce, while lettuce provides a ground cover that retains moisture.
• Cabbage with Dill:Dill repels pests that attack cabbage, while cabbage provides a support structure for dill to grow.
• Strawberries with Thyme:Thyme repels pests that attack strawberries, while strawberries provide a ground cover that suppresses weeds.
• Eggplant with Tarragon:Tarragon repels pests that attack eggplant, while eggplant provides a support structure for tarragon to grow.
• Potatoes with Petunias:Petunias repel pests that attack potatoes, while their flowers attract pollinators.
• Beets with Garlic:Garlic repels pests.

Companion Planting Farm Plan

Here is a plan that a farmer can use to plant companion plants to benefit farm soil, diversity, increase production, pollinate, and repel insects, along with a list of companion plants that should be planted alongside farm crops and why:

Evaluate your farm and identify areas where you can plant companion plants to benefit soil, increase production, and repel pests. Consider the specific needs of your crops and the pests and diseases that are common in your area and choose companion plants that are known to benefit your crops and repel pests. Here are some examples:

Marigolds

• Tomatoes: Marigolds are known to repel tomato hornworms and other pests that attack tomato plants. They also improve soil health and provide shade and moisture retention for the soil.
• Cucumbers: Marigolds repel cucumber beetles and other pests that attack cucumber plants. They also attract beneficial insects and improve soil health.
• Peppers: Marigolds repel pests that attack pepper plants, such as spider mites and aphids. They also provide shade and moisture retention for the soil.
• Broccoli: Marigolds repel pests that attack broccoli, such as cabbage worms and aphids. They also attract beneficial insects and improve soil health.
• Melons: Marigolds repel pests that attack melon plants, such as squash bugs and cucumber beetles. They also attract pollinators and improve soil health.
• Marigolds: Repel nematodes and other soil-borne pests, attract beneficial insects, and provide shade and moisture retention for soil. Here are some crops that you can plant with marigolds:
• Basil: Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips, attracts bees and butterflies, and enhances the flavor of tomatoes.

Chives

• Tomatoes: Chives repel aphids, which are a common pest that attack tomato plants. They also improve soil health and provide a source of nectar for beneficial insects.
• Carrots: Chives are known to repel carrot flies, which can damage carrot plants. They also improve soil health and provide a source of nectar for beneficial insects.
• Broccoli: Chives repel aphids and other pests that attack broccoli plants. They also attract beneficial insects and improve soil health.
• Beets: Chives are known to repel pests that attack beets, such as leafminers and aphids. They also improve soil health and provide a source of nectar for beneficial insects.
• Spinach: Chives repel aphids and other pests that attack spinach plants. They also attract beneficial insects and improve soil health.

Thyme

• Cabbage: Thyme repels cabbage worms, which can damage cabbage plants. They also attract beneficial insects and improve soil health.
• Eggplant: Thyme repels pests that attack eggplant plants, such as spider mites and aphids. They also attract pollinators and improve soil health.
• Squash: Thyme repels pests that attack squash plants, such as squash bugs and cucumber beetles. They also attract pollinators and improve soil health.
• Beans: Thyme is known to improve the growth and yield of bean plants. They also attract pollinators and improve soil health.
• Peppers: Thyme repels pests that attack pepper plants, such as spider mites and aphids. They also attract pollinators and improve soil health.
• Dill: Repels aphids, attracts beneficial insects, and provides support for climbing plants.

Mint

• Tomatoes: Mint repels aphids and other pests that attack tomato plants. They also improve soil health and provide a source of nectar for beneficial insects.
• Cabbage: Mint repels cabbage moths, which can damage cabbage plants. They also improve soil health and provide a source of nectar for beneficial insects.
• Peppers: Mint repels pests that attack pepper plants, such as aphids and spider mites. They also improve soil health and provide a source of nectar for beneficial insects.
• Broccoli: Mint repels aphids and other pests that attack broccoli plants. They also improve soil health and provide a source of nectar for beneficial insects.
• Beets: Mint repels pests that attack beet plants, such as flea beetles and aphids. They also improve soil health and provide a source of nectar for beneficial insects.

Sunflowers

• Beans: Sunflowers attract pollinators, which can improve the yield of bean plants. They also improve soil health and provide shade for other plants.
• Corn: Sunflowers attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which can help control pests that attack corn plants. They also improve soil health and provide shade for other plants.
• Melons: Sunflowers attract pollinators, which can improve the yield of melon plants. They also improve soil health and provide shade for other plants.
• Cucumbers: Sunflowers attract beneficial insects, such as bees and hoverflies, which can help control pests that attack cucumber plants. They also improve soil health and provide shade for other plants.
• Squash: Sunflowers attract pollinators, which can improve the yield of squash plants. They also improve soil health and provide shade for other plants.

Nasturtiums

• Tomatoes: Nasturtiums repel whiteflies and aphids, which can damage tomato plants. They also attract beneficial insects and improve soil health.
• Cucumbers: Nasturtiums repel cucumber beetles and squash bugs, which can damage cucumber plants. They also attract beneficial insects and improve soil health.
• Squash: Nasturtiums repel squash bugs and other pests that attack squash plants. They also attract beneficial insects and improve soil health.
• Radishes: Nasturtiums repel flea beetles and other pests that attack radish plants. They also improve soil health and provide a source of nectar for beneficial insects.
• Beans: Nasturtiums repel aphids and other pests that attack bean plants. They also improve soil health and provide a source of nectar for beneficial insects.

Plan your planting schedule and spacing to ensure that your companion plants are planted at the right time and in the right location. Some companion plants can be planted in between rows of crops, while others can be planted as border plants around the perimeter of the field.

Prepare the soil by removing weeds and adding organic matter, such as compost or manure. This will provide a healthy environment for your crops and companion plants to thrive.

Plant your companion plants in the designated areas, ensuring that they are spaced appropriately and planted at the right depth. Be sure to water and fertilize your plants as needed, and monitor them for pests and diseases.

Use integrated pest management techniques to manage pests and diseases without relying on synthetic pesticides. This may include using physical barriers, such as row covers, to protect your crops, and using biological controls, such as beneficial insects, to control pests.

Monitor your crops and companion plants throughout the growing season to ensure that they are healthy and productive. Make adjustments as needed, such as thinning or replanting your companion plants, to ensure that they are providing maximum benefits to your crops.

By following these steps and planting the appropriate companion plants, you can create a healthy and productive farm ecosystem that benefits both your crops and the environment.

Companion Plants - Article Posted Dec 27, 2023