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Step 1
Stop pests by planting marigolds or chrysanthemums alongside your tomatoes or other vegetables. Some companion plants have chemicals that act as natural pesticides to the insect enemies of certain plants, which keeps harmful insects away.
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Step 2
Vary the size of your companions to confuse their predators. For example, if you plant corn with squash or pumpkin, the squash borer is less likely to see your squash as a meal.
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Step 3
Provide a home for predator insects through companion planting. The predatory wasp likes to munch on insects such as aphids that can kill many plants. Anise provides a natural home for the wasp when you plant in among your flowers and vegetables. As a bonus, most plants do better with anise around.
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Step 4
Grow some plants to provide more nitrogen to the soil. Beans are generally good with many plants, but they can be a great companion for corn, which uses a lot of nitrogen. Peas are also plants that will fix nitrogen.
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Step 5
Plant a natural herbicide. Some plants, like the Mexican marigold, may act as an herbicide due to the strong chemicals from the roots.
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Step 6
Create a wind barrier to protect companions from damage. Okra and bell pepper are beneficial in this way.
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Step 7
Improve the growth and flavor by knowing what plants will enhance a particular vegetable. For example, tomato flavor is greatly enhanced when it is planted close to mint, chives, bee balm or basil--and these herbs are delicious when tomatoes at harvest time.
