Companion planting:The act of placing plantstogether that can benefit each other in different ways.
In the spring I like to think that little plant communities are being built when we plant our vegetable gardens. Just as human beings need shelter, food, water, and friends, plants need the same in their communities. They compete for resources, just like we compete for resources. When gardens are planted using the companion planting concept, plants that benefit each other are purposely planted close together, and plants that compete for resources or harm each other are kept separate. A perfect example of companion planting is what the Native Americans call the Three Sisters, which is planting a mixture of corn, beans and squash together.
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac:
By the time European settlers arrived in America in the early 1600s, the Iroquois had been growing the “three sisters” for over three centuries. The vegetable trio sustained the Native Americans both physically and spiritually. In legend, the plants were a gift from the gods, always to be grown together, eaten together, and celebratedtogether.
Each of the sisters contributes something to the planting. Together, the sisters provide a balanced diet from a singleplanting.
- As older sisters often do, the corn offers the beans neededsupport.
- The beans, the giving sister, pull nitrogen from the air and bring it to the soil for the benefit of allthree.
- As the beans grow through the tangle of squash vines and wind their way up the cornstalks into the sunlight, they hold the sisters closetogether.
- The large leaves of the sprawling squash protect the threesome by creating living mulch that shades the soil, keeping it cool and moist and preventingweeds.
- The prickly squash leaves also keep away raccoons, which don’t like to step onthem.
Together, the three sisters provide both sustainable soil fertility as well as a healthy diet.Perfection!
As you can see, companion planting can benefit plants by: keeping pests away, providing support to neighboring plants, sharing or providing resources, promoting polyculture,and attracting beneficial insects. Just as the Three Sisters uses the corn stalks to allow the beans to climb to the sun and the large squash leaves to keep the soil moist, the gardener needs to keep the sun and water requirements in mind when planting different crops close together. For instance, corn should not be planted to the south of a row of potatoes do to the amount of shade the corn would give the potato plants. Or, bush beans may need more water than the squash plants because the large squash leave shade the soil so nicely with their large leaves. Below is a helpful companion planting guide. Click on the picture to download a free copy!
Last, but not least, here are some flowers that are great companions foryour vegetable gardens:
Catnip –Keepsaphids, asparagus beetles, and squash bugs away, but attracts pollinators and parasitic wasps.
Clover – Many people have this wild flower growing naturally in the yard, which is great for gardens! Clover attracts many beneficial insects, aids infighting cabbage worms, and increases the number of predatory ground beetles. A favorite food of honey bees!
Cosmos – An annual that provides provides food and habitat to many different predatory insects.
Dahlias –Aids in repelling nematodes.Dahlias have a large, beautiful flower head that will attract pollinators and lend beauty to your vegetable garden.
Echinacea or Cone Flower – Attract hoverflies and parasitoid wasps, so plant close to the vegetable garden to control pests.
Gaillardia –Blooms for a very long period over the summer. Plant this perennial along with other long-bloomers to provide a constant meal for your favorite pollinators!
Lavender – A perennial in some zones, and an annual in others, lavender is an excellent general pest repellent flower that repels fleas, moths, andwhite flies. A wonderful smelling flower for your garden.
Licorice Plant – Plant on the outside of the gardento lure cabbage moths away from broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and turnips.Bees are attracted to licorice plant, but keep this plant away from radishes.
Marigold – Marigolds produce chemicals that repel many different insects, along with rabbits and deer, but they attract hoverflies and helpful wasps. Do not plant them near beans.
Monarda or Bee Balm– This perennial is a favorite among bees, wasps, and hummingbirds.
Yarrow – Attracts hoverflies, lady beetles, and wasps that prey on grubs, but repels aphids.
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Now, let's discuss the concept of companion planting, which is the act of placing plants together that can benefit each other in different ways. When gardens are planted using the companion planting concept, plants that benefit each other are purposely planted close together, while plants that compete for resources or harm each other are kept separate.
One well-known example of companion planting is the Native American practice called the Three Sisters. This involves planting a mixture of corn, beans, and squash together. Each of the sisters contributes something to the planting. The corn provides support for the beans to climb, while the beans pull nitrogen from the air and bring it to the soil for the benefit of all three. The large leaves of the squash protect the soil by creating living mulch that shades it, keeping it cool and moist and preventing weeds. The prickly squash leaves also deter raccoons from stepping on the plants. Together, the three sisters provide both sustainable soil fertility and a healthy diet.
Companion planting can benefit plants in several ways:
- Pest control: Some plants can repel pests or attract beneficial insects that prey on pests, helping to keep the garden healthy. For example, catnip can repel aphids, asparagus beetles, and squash bugs, while attracting pollinators and parasitic wasps. Marigolds produce chemicals that repel many different insects, along with rabbits and deer, but they attract hoverflies and helpful wasps.
- Support: Certain plants can provide support to neighboring plants. For instance, corn stalks can be used as a support structure for beans to climb towards the sun.
- Resource sharing: Plants can share or provide resources to each other. For example, beans can pull nitrogen from the air and bring it to the soil, benefiting neighboring plants.
- Polyculture: Companion planting promotes polyculture, which is the practice of growing multiple crops together. This can help create a diverse and balanced ecosystem, reducing the risk of pests and diseases.
- Attracting beneficial insects: Some companion plants can attract beneficial insects, such as bees and predatory insects, which can help with pollination and pest control.
When practicing companion planting, it's important to consider the specific needs of each plant, such as sunlight and water requirements. For example, corn should not be planted to the south of a row of potatoes due to the shade the corn would provide, affecting the potato plants. Additionally, different plants may have different water requirements, so it's important to consider this when planting them close together.
In addition to the Three Sisters, there are also several flowers that are great companions for vegetable gardens. These include catnip, clover, cosmos, dahlias, echinacea or cone flower, gaillardia, lavender, licorice plant, marigold, monarda or bee balm, and yarrow. These flowers can attract beneficial insects, repel pests, and provide food and habitat for predatory insects.
Companion planting is a fascinating and beneficial practice that can enhance the health and productivity of a garden. By understanding the relationships between different plants and utilizing companion planting techniques, gardeners can create a thriving and sustainable ecosystem.
I hope this information helps! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
