Bert Swope
Companion planting refers to the practice of growing multiple species together for mutual benefit.
A well-balanced garden combines flowers, herbs, and vegetables in order to produce healthy edibles with reduced pests and diseases. Furthermore, it can improve soil fertility, suppress weeds, and increase beneficial insect populations that visit it.
Companion planting depends on both plant species and proximity when selecting compatible combinations; knowing what works can make a big difference in your gardening success!
Companion plants can provide some wonderful additions, such as:
- tulips,
- gladiolus,
- blue vervain,
- mints,
- nasturtiums,
- marigolds,
- basil,
- chives,
- calendula,
- pansies,
- sunflowers,
- petunias,
- verbena,
- blue delphiniums
- and many more.
Flower and Herb Companions
Companion Planting is an easy and productive way to create an aesthetically pleasing garden, increasing beneficial insects such as pollinators while repelling pests. To successfully cultivate companion planting, grow crops that complement each other healthy so they have space to flourish together.
Many plants work well together to enhance one another’s growth, flavor or provide shade or shelter. Flowers and herbs often collaborate to provide multiple advantages for both species involved.
First step of successful companion planting is identifying which flowers and herbs will complement each other best. This requires knowing each plant’s growth needs such as how much sunlight, shade or watering they require as well as soil types they tolerate.
Bloom time of flowers should also be carefully considered when selecting plants to add to your garden. Long-blooming varieties like daffodils and sage can be planted alongside each other for continuous color throughout the growing season, creating an eye-catching garden display and drawing bees closer to these vibrant blooms as they flourish. This ensures your summer garden remains attractive all season long while simultaneously drawing bees to these blooming beauties as they blossom.
Herbs and flowers that release fragrances that attract predatory insects can make effective companion plants, particularly when planted near vegetables. Garlic and onions, for instance, produce scents that help ward off carrot flies and other insect pests that might otherwise invade.
Aromatic herbs such as basil, thyme and rosemary emit masking chemicals that deter harmful insect pests. French marigolds release volatile limonene compounds to delay whitefly population while African ones release thiophene chemicals which repel harmful nematodes.
Flowers offer natural weed control in the garden, helping you avoid unwanted dandelions and chickweeds that threaten to take over, blocking off growing space or cutting off their root systems. Sweet alyssum quickly forms thick mats which can be used to eliminate weeds in your garden or between crop rows.
Nasturtiums, borage, and purslane flowers make great companions for many vegetable crops as they deter tomato hornworm and cabbage moth caterpillars from feeding on your crops. Plus, these easy-to-grow flowers add color and character to any garden space! Nasturtiums and borage also improve taste while purslane acts as natural fertilizer for both plants and soil alike!
Vegetable Companions
Companion planting can help your garden bloom into bloom, from vegetables and flowers alike, with increased growth, reduced pest infestation, and improved soil health all being benefits of companion planting. Its use may especially benefit small gardens where space may be an issue.
Indigenous populations worldwide have long used companion planting, particularly within the US. A popular example is known as “Three Sisters”, in which corn, beans and squash are planted together for mutual benefits.
Companion planting has been around for centuries and has long been recognized as an effective strategy to increase yields while naturally deterring pests in your garden. For optimal results, select companion plants that work together synergistically.
Basil can help tomatoes flourish because it repels certain insects that lay tomato hornworms – such as thrips and moths. The same holds true for other vegetables such as asparagus and potatoes.
Planting various vegetables together makes your garden more tolerant to climate changes, reduce disease and insect damage in the soil, and can enhance flavor as each plant takes advantage of available nutrients in its environment to meet both their own nutritional requirements and those of its companion plants.
Nasturtiums and marigolds can make excellent vegetable companions, providing natural pest repellents while also drawing pollinators to your garden, which can increase harvest yield.
Legumes make ideal companion plants due to their non-nitrogen-removing nature; thus making them suitable for growing alongside nitrogen-requiring crops like corn or leafy greens.
Beans, cauliflower and carrots make excellent companion plants; many longtime gardeners vouch for this. It has long been held that these three vegetables thrive when planted together – many seasoned gardeners swear by this theory!
Fruit Companions
Companion Planting refers to planting flowers, herbs, and vegetables together for mutual advantage. This centuries-old practice allows both plants to absorb vital nutrients without competing for resources; improving overall health while simultaneously saving on space in your garden!
Some flowers and herbs have long been recognized as great companions for certain fruit trees, particularly those producing ripe fruits such as plums, peaches, or apricots. Companions may help attract pollinators while protecting pollinator populations against pollen pollution or keeping pests away.
Companion flowers and herbs have long been used to repel certain insects, such as aphids and caterpillars, while at the same time attracting beneficial pollinating insects like ladybirds and hoverflies that help control unwanted pests.
Not only will flower and herb combinations provide aesthetic benefits, they can also protect your garden from harsh elements by acting as shelter. For instance, tall sunflowers next to cucumbers or snap peas provide natural support for sprawling crops which might otherwise be damaged by strong winds.
Companion planting also helps increase predatory insects in your garden that feed on specific pests – for instance, nasturtium is an ideal plant to lure away aphids from fruit by drawing them away with its beautiful petals.
Companion planting offers multiple other advantages, including improving soil conditions and protecting your garden from weeds – something which helps lower costs by decreasing chemical use to maintain an attractive and healthy garden environment.
Flowers and herbs can help your garden be free from pests by emitting fragrances that deter them from coming near it. Furthermore, these plants may act as barriers against predators such as raccoons or deer who prey upon crops.
Flowers and herbs can also be used to repel certain types of nematodes that damage vegetable roots, like those associated with tomatoes and other veggies. Marigolds are particularly effective at deterring plant-parasitic nematodes from attacking those roots.
Ornamental Companions
Companion planting is an organic way to promote the health of your garden. Research has demonstrated how specific plant combinations can support pollination, prevent disease and keep pests at bay.
Some ornamental plants, like sunflowers, zinnias, and fennel are great companions for vegetables; they attract beneficial insects that eat aphids that limit your harvest while predators like lacewings eat up any remaining ones on tomatoes. Others such as lavender, sage or chives have strong aromas which deter pests.
Companion plants should complement each other aesthetically and share similar conditions when growing, while remaining tolerant to each other. They may even offer mutual advantages like increasing flavor in each other’s produce or helping growers manage an area with greater difficulty for cultivation.
One of the primary advantages of companion planting is saving space. For instance, if you plant tomatoes and peppers at different times throughout the season, consider transplanting lettuce when the tomatoes start fruiting so as to decrease how often you must till under each plant and keep your soil hydrated.
If you have limited space, try mixing vegetables and flowers to conserve space and save soil while improving weed control and decreasing fertilizer needs. Not only will this save on costs but it may even cut back on fertilizers needed!
Companion planting also promotes healthy growth and yields in your garden. Edible legumes fix nitrogen from the soil using nodules on their roots, providing essential nutrients for other plants in your garden.
These nitrogen-fixing plants also work to enrich the soil by adding organic matter. As cover crops, they retain moisture while protecting soil health; additionally, they can restrict weed growth while supporting plant health.
Marigolds, petunias and alliums (onions, scallions and chives) make great companion plants for tomatoes as they repel squash bugs and tomato hornworms while drawing in beneficial insects pollinators while deterring rabbits and deer from eating your veggies!
