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Growing Friends
(by Alexandra Heath - November 06, 2007)
We all count friends—tried and true—as important to our lives. Sometimes, our neighbors become our friends, or they may drive us crazy. Plants appreciate friendly neighbors, just like people do. Gardeners can help the plants they grow by knowing what plant neighbors are friendly and which are likely to drive their broccoli or tomatoes (or any other crop) crazy.
Companion planting—the art of creating friendly plant neighborhoods—has been used by gardeners for thousands of years to create beneficial plant communities as well as deter pests and increase plant yields. Just recently, I participated in the Oroville Health and Healing Fair and brought along a few of my medicinal herb plants to sell. One person who stopped by to talk “herbs” told me that planting tobacco in the vegetable garden prevented attacks by slugs and snails. It’s that kind of anecdotal evidence that has created the body of knowledge about symbiotic plant relationships over time. As you begin planning for next year’s garden, pencil in some room for companion plants. Following is a brief list showing who likes who in the plant world (and who drives other plants crazy.)
Beans like most other garden vegetables, but onions are not good companions.
Beets however, enjoy the company of onions, but dislike beans.
Cabbage Family plants like celery, beets and onions, but keep them away from strawberries and tomatoes.
Corn loves potatoes, peas, beans, cucumbers, pumpkins and squash. Plus, you can conserve on garden space by interplanting them, so that the climbers can use the corn stalks.
Lettuce makes a strong garden showing when carrots and radishes are close by.
Onions and garlic love tomatoes and strawberries, but keep peas and
beans on the other side of the garden.
Peppers, like tomatoes, enjoy the company of basil and okra, as well
as chives, parsley and carrots.
Pumpkin likes corn, but turns its nose up at potatoes.
Spinach likes strawberries, and strawberries return the favor, but
don’t like cabbage.
Soybeans grow with everything and help all plants in the garden.
Fennel is the garden’s persona non grata; most plants dislike it. If you have an herb garden, locate your fennel there, rather than with your vegetables.
If you want to deter pests in the garden naturally, and many people are moving away from the use of chemical pesticides, there are a number of plants that do that. By far and away, the most valuable pest deterrent is the common marigold. It’s strong smell and unpleasant tasting roots discourage Mexican bean beetles, nematodes and many other insects that like to dine on your vegetables. Spearmint, tansy and pennyroyal all keep ants at bay. Aphids are repelled by spearmint, stinging nettle, southernwood and garlic.
If gophers are ravaging your garden, plant daffodils, castor beans and gopher purge to deter them. Use caution with the latter two, since they are highly toxic to children and pets. Encouraging birds and bees to visit by planting flowering shrubs or a variety of flowering herbs, like hyssop, thyme, catnip, lemon balm, basil, summer savory, borage and mint, will help reduce the insect population. If you have chickens and can let them run in the garden, they will control earwig, sow bug, snail, grasshopper and maggot invaders. Young seedlings need to be protected, however, or your chickens will feast on them.
The process of companion planting seems a bit daunting at first, but Nature is herself pretty complex. If you want to try creating a thriving mini-ecosystem in your next garden, start small. Try one or two companion plantings and see how they work. You can expand the practice next year. It helps to keep a garden journal so you can check how your efforts worked and make adjustments next time.
Sometimes we have to work at maintaining good relationships with our neighbors; but we can ensure a harmonious garden by taking some time to plant good friends close to each other, and let the “crazy-makers” take root in another garden location. Happy planting!
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