The Ultimate Guide To Companion Planting

The Ultimate Guide to Companion Planting

Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting certain plants together to benefit each other. This can be done to attract beneficial insects, deter pests, improve soil quality, or increase yields.

There are many different companion planting combinations that can be used, and the best ones will vary depending on the specific plants you are growing. However, there are some general principles that can help you get started.

Benefits of Companion Planting

There are many benefits to companion planting, including:

• Attracting beneficial insects: Many plants attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, lacewings, and spiders. These insects help to control pests, which can save you time and money on pesticides.
• Deterring pests: Some plants have strong scents that can deter pests. For example, marigolds are often planted near tomatoes to help repel tomato hornworms.
• Improving soil quality: Some plants help to improve soil quality by fixing nitrogen or adding other nutrients. For example, legumes, such as beans and peas, fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit other plants.
• Increased yields: Companion planting can sometimes lead to increased yields. For example, planting carrots near onions can help to improve the flavor of the carrots.

How to Choose Companion Plants

When choosing companion plants, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Plants with similar needs: It is important to choose plants that have similar needs for sun, water, and soil type. This will help to ensure that both plants will thrive in the same environment.
• Plants with complementary benefits: Look for plants that will benefit each other in some way. For example, you might plant marigolds near tomatoes to help repel pests, or you might plant beans near corn to help fix nitrogen in the soil.
• Plants with different growth habits: It is also a good idea to mix up the growth habits of your plants. This will help to prevent overcrowding and ensure that all of your plants have enough space to grow.

Some Popular Companion Planting Combinations

Here are some popular companion planting combinations:

• Beans and corn: Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits corn. Corn provides shade for beans, which helps to protect them from pests.
• Carrots and onions: The strong scent of onions helps to deter carrot fly, which is a common pest of carrots.
• Lettuce and tomatoes: Lettuce helps to suppress weeds, which can compete with tomatoes for water and nutrients. Tomatoes provide shade for lettuce, which helps to protect it from the hot sun.
• Marigolds and tomatoes: Marigolds help to repel nematodes, which are a common pest of tomatoes.
• Peas and cabbage: Peas fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits cabbage. Cabbage provides shade for peas, which helps to protect them from the hot sun.

Conclusion

Companion planting is a great way to improve your garden's health and productivity. By following the tips in this guide, you can choose the right companion plants for your garden and enjoy all the benefits of companion planting.

Garden plants to plant together

Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting certain types of plants together to benefit each other. Some plants repel pests, while others attract beneficial insects. Some plants help to improve the soil, while others provide shade or support.

There are many different companion planting combinations, but some of the most popular include:

• Tomatoes and basil: Basil repels tomato hornworms and other pests, and it also enhances the flavor of tomatoes.
• Beans and corn: Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits corn. Corn provides shade for beans, which helps to prevent them from getting too hot.
• Marigolds and cucumbers: Marigolds repel aphids and other pests, and they also attract pollinators.
• Carrots and onions: Onions repel carrot fly, and carrots help to break up the soil, which benefits onions.
• Potatoes and marigolds: Marigolds repel nematodes, which can damage potatoes.

If you're interested in learning more about companion planting, I recommend visiting Gardenia Inspiration. This website has a comprehensive guide to companion planting, as well as a list of specific plant combinations that work well together.

FAQ of garden plants to plant together

Q: What are the benefits of companion planting?

A: Companion planting is the practice of planting certain types of plants together to benefit each other. There are many benefits to companion planting, including:

• Increased yields: Companion plants can help to attract pollinators, which can help to increase the yields of your crops.
• Improved pest control: Some companion plants can help to repel pests, while others can attract beneficial insects that prey on pests.
• Improved soil quality: Some companion plants can help to improve the soil quality, which can benefit all of the plants in your garden.
• Reduced disease risk: Some companion plants can help to reduce the risk of disease, by attracting beneficial insects or by deterring pests.

Q: How do I choose which plants to plant together?

A: There are many factors to consider when choosing which plants to plant together, including:

• The plants' growth habits: Some plants, such as tomatoes, grow tall and need plenty of space, while others, such as lettuce, grow low and can be planted closer together.
• The plants' water needs: Some plants, such as cucumbers, need a lot of water, while others, such as beans, can tolerate drier conditions.
• The plants' nutrient needs: Some plants, such as tomatoes, are heavy feeders, while others, such as carrots, are not as demanding.
• The plants' pest and disease resistance: Some plants are more susceptible to pests and diseases than others.

Q: What are some common companion plants?

A: Here are some common companion plants:

• Tomatoes and basil: Basil helps to repel tomato hornworms, a common pest of tomatoes.
• Carrots and onions: Carrots help to repel onion maggots, a common pest of onions.
• Beans and corn: Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits corn. Corn provides shade for beans, which helps to keep them cool.
• Marigolds and roses: Marigolds help to repel nematodes, a common pest of roses.
• Cucumbers and nasturtiums: Nasturtiums help to attract beneficial insects that prey on cucumber pests.

Q: Where can I find a list of companion plants?

A: There are many resources available online and in libraries that list companion plants. Some popular resources include:

• The Companion Planting Handbook by Louise Riotte
• The Vegetable Gardener's Companion by Carol Deppe
• The Edible Garden by Niki Jabbour
• The Gardener's A-Z Guide to Companion Planting by Barbara Damrosch
• The New Victory Garden by Deborah Madison

Image of garden plants to plant together

5 different images of garden plants to plant together:

1. Tomatoes and basil: These two plants are a classic companion planting combination. Basil helps to repel tomato pests, such as aphids and whiteflies, and it also enhances the flavor of tomatoes.
2. Beans and corn: Beans and corn are known as the "Three Sisters" in Native American tradition. These plants are mutually beneficial, as the beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which the corn can use, and the corn provides shade for the beans.
3. Marigolds and cabbage: Marigolds help to repel cabbage moths and other pests that can damage cabbage plants. They also add a splash of color to the garden.
4. Nasturtiums and carrots: Nasturtiums help to deter carrot flies, which can damage carrot roots. They also attract pollinators, which help to pollinate carrots.
5. Lavender and roses: Lavender helps to repel aphids, which can damage roses. It also adds a touch of elegance to the garden.