Companion Garden Plants
Companion planting is the practice of planting certain herbs, vegetables or flowers together so that they benefit each other. Garden folklore is rich in examples of companion planting, and many of these traditions are wise cultural practices still used today. A classic example of companion planting is found in the Native American practice of interplanting corn, beans and squash, called the Three Sisters. Companions help with insect control or provide other benefits. Sometimes all of the plants in a companion relationship thrive, and in other relationships, such as trap crops, one plant is sacrificed for the benefit of its companion. Does this Spark an idea?
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Pest Control
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Some plants, particularly those with strong smells, help repel insects. Chives planted at the base of a rose bush may help repel aphids. Nasturtiums grown with squash may help repel squash bugs. Garlic at the base of peach trees may repel borers. Basil interplanted with tomatoes is said to help control hornworms. Leeks and carrots have a two-way relationship. Carrots help repel the leek moth while leeks repel carrot flies. The same is true of asparagus and tomatoes. Asparagus helps control nematodes, a deadly pest for tomatoes, while the tomatoes help control asparagus beetles.
Beneficial Insects
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Beneficial insects are those that feed on pest insects. They include ground beetles, green lacewings, praying mantis and lady bugs. Coneflowers, black-eyed Susans and herbs such as parsley, coriander and dill attract beneficial insects. Use these plants as companions for flowers and vegetables that are plagued by aphids and other small, sucking insects. Broccoli and potatoes benefit from interplanting with sweet alyssum, which attracts beneficial insects and prevents weeds.
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Trap Plants
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Plant trap plants to draw insect pests away from more valuable plants. Insects are easier to manage once they move to the trap plant. Radishes attract cucumber beetles and flea beetles, keeping them away from cucumbers and other susceptible plants nearby. Aphids affect almost all garden plants. Planting nasturtiums around the edges of the garden draws aphids away from both ornamentals and vegetables. Castor beans act as a decoy for soil nematodes.
Companions That Promote Growth and Vigor
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When you interplant broad beans and corn, the beans climb the corn and anchor it more firmly so that top-heavy plants don't fall. Beans also enrich the soil with nitrogen and help keep raccoons out of the corn. Add squash to act as a groundcover, shading the soil to prevent moisture evaporation and weed germination, and you have the Native American "Three Sisters" combination. Bee balm and borage are said to improve the growth and flavor of tomatoes. Azaleas and rhododendrons thrive under a pine tree where they benefit from the shifting shade and the acid soil created by the tree.
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References
- Cornell University Extension; Companion Planting; Robert Beyfuss, et al.; 1994
- Mother Earth News; Carrots Love Tomatoes- Companion Planting for a Healthy Garden; Louise Riotte; March, 1992
- Penn State Cooperative Extension; Companion Plants; Chris Mayer; March, 2003
- "Rodale's Garden Problem Solver"; Jeff Ball; 1988
Resources
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