Companion Planting in a Garden
Companion planting is the process of grouping plants with different attributes to achieve the most potential from each specimen. It is primarily used in vegetable gardening, but can also be effective with herbs and flowers. Plants may be chosen that deter their neighbors' pests, protect each other from excess sunlight or improve the soil to enhance growth. Companion planting can even be used to produce crops that are resistant to diseases, pests and deformities. Does this Spark an idea?
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The History of Companion Planting
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Companion planting is founded in folklore, when farmers discovered their own methods of producing high yields without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that weren't available at that time. These methods were passed down in families and rural communities until reputed success led to investigation by qualified gardeners and scientists. Certain aspects of companion planting are verified as scientifically sound and further studies are taking place into the development of weed-resistant plant combinations, according to "Mother Earth News."
Promoting Growth
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Plants that help each other to grow strong and healthy are commonly known as "mutually beneficial." Legumes, for instance, are advantageous when planted in almost any crop-producing garden as they process nitrogen and release it in a form that neighboring plants can use. Radishes are fast-growing crops that germinate early and will help to improve the soil for late-germinating plants, such as carrots and leeks. Other mutually beneficial combinations include carrots and tomatoes, roses and garlic, cucumber and sunflowers, and lettuce and strawberries.
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Deterring Pests
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Pests can be the cause of many problems in the garden, but there are few options for those people who prefer to avoid pesticides. Companion planting has been found to reduce the number of pests in the garden when certain combinations of plants are present. Planting carrots alongside leeks, for example, prevents carrot flies, leek moths and onion flies as the smells of each plant repels the pests of each. The smell of lettuce has a similar effect on the earth fly, which afflicts many crops including kohlrabi. For perhaps the most widespread effects, African marigolds can be planted in strategic locations around the garden. Their strong scent has been shown to confuse and deter many pests and a substance called thiopene, secreted from their roots, prevents nematodes.
Interplanting
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Interplanting is often confused with companion planting as the two methods are very similar. The former involves planting a variety of crops together depending on their growth patterns rather than the beneficial effects they may have on their neighbors. Large, slow-growing plants are positioned alongside small, fast-growing specimens to maximize space and yields. Interplanting can be used alongside companion planting to reap the benefits of both systems.
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