Have you ever wondered what the secret is to healthier, more productive plants in your garden? The answer may surprise you: companion planting. Companion planting is an age-old gardening technique where two or more types of plants are grown together to their mutual benefit. This method of gardening has been used for centuries to create a more dynamic and resilient garden ecosystem, and the benefits are numerous. You can save on space, improve crop yields, and even use companion plants to naturally repel pests. With the right combination of companion plants, you can expect to see bigger, healthier, and more vibrant plants in your garden.
What is companion planting?
Companion planting is the practice of growing certain types of plants together to improve each other’s growth, health, and production. These companion plants repel pests, attract insects that improve soil fertility, increase the yield of planting space, and even improve the taste and nutritional value of food crops. Companion planting is also sometimes referred to as intercropping, but the two terms are not interchangeable. While both companion planting and intercropping involve growing two or more types of plants together, intercropping always includes some type of rotation with the companion crops.
Benefits of companion planting
There are many benefits to companion planting in the garden, including increased yields, reduced pest problems, better soil health, and reduced need for fertilizer and water. Companion planting can be an especially useful technique for growing in containers, where space is limited and many pests thrive.
Companion planting tips
Avoid planting root crops and heavy feeders next to each other. They will compete with one another for water, nutrients, and space.
For best results, include “catch crops” in your companion planting layout. These are plants that are planted between cash crops and are utilized as food for wildlife or livestock feed.
For taller plants, plant shorter companions in front and taller plants behind them to help them grow taller. Plants like corn and beans, which can’t be planted too close together, are great examples of this approach.
Companion planting combinations
These are just a few of the most common (and most beneficial) companion planting combinations:
Beans and corn are hearty crops that grow well together, and the corn provides a natural trellis for the beans to climb.
Broccoli, cabbage, and carrots can be planted together and make a great living mulch that will help keep the soil moist and well-drained.
Cucumbers and lettuce are great companion plants for each other and can even be planted in the same rows.
Potatoes and tomatoes are both very heavy feeders, but they thrive when planted together.
Radishes are a great companion for most other plants, but especially other root crops. They can be planted between or around other plants to help repel pests and enrich the soil.
Squash and corn make an excellent companion planting combination. The corn provides support for the squash plants and makes harvesting easier.
How to select companion plants
Companion plants should be selected based on their growth habits and the amount of space they need in the garden. Corn, beans, squash, and tomatoes are all good examples of companion plants that benefit from being planted close together. When selecting companion plants, avoid plants that have a reputation for being invasive, as they can be a problem when grown too closely.
Creating a companion planting plan
Before you plant your garden, sit down and sketch out a layout. Plot out your garden rows, first selecting plants that will be grown in them. Next, add the appropriate companion plants around each row. Companion planting plans can be as simple or complex as you like, and they can vary greatly from garden to garden. The important thing is to be aware of what you’re planting and why it’s being used in a given location.
Common companion plant pests
Like humans, plants can become susceptible to pests, even those that are grown in companion planting environments. However, certain types of plants will naturally repel certain pests, making companion planting even more beneficial. When selecting companion plants, look for plants that repel the pests common to your garden. These include:
Beans and corn repel the Mexican bean beetle.
Brassicas (such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower) repel aphids and Japanese beetles.
Carrots, celery, and parsnips repel root-knot nematodes.
Corn repels Colorado potato beetles.
Potatoes repel aphids, Colorado potato beetles, and flea beetles.
Companion planting techniques
Not all companion plants will be planted together, and there are several companion planting techniques you can utilize to benefit your garden. These include:
Companion rows - In a companion row planting, you’ll plant different companion plants in the same row. This is a great way to get multiple benefits from one row.
Living mulch - A common companion planting technique, a living mulch is made up of plants that are clustered together and grown between rows and around certain plants. These can be annual or perennial plants and are often used as ground cover, to shade plants, or even to keep down weeds.
Intercropping - This companion planting technique involves rotating two or more crops together in a given planting space. Often, the crops must be harvested at different times so that one isn’t blocking the sunlight from the other. This can be an efficient way to maximize your gardening space.
Companion planting FAQs
Now that you’ve learned about companion planting, you’ve probably got some questions. Here are some of the most common:
Why should I use companion planting? Companion planting can help you increase your crop yields, improve soil health, increase the amount of food you can grow in a given space, and even prevent pest problems.
How do I plant companion plants? The easiest way to plant companion plants is to design your planting layout with that in mind. You can also mix certain seeds and then transplant them into one area.
Do companion plants need to be near each other? No, you can space companion plants as far apart as you want, but the closer they are, the more effective they’ll be.
Are companion plants organic? Yes, companion planting is entirely organic and relies on natural relationships between different types of plants.
Conclusion
Companion planting is one of the best ways to increase your crop yields, improve soil health, and prevent pest problems in your garden. By planting certain plants together, you can increase the amount of food you can grow in a given space, while also improving the health and productivity of the soil. To maximize the benefits of companion planting, pick plants with the right growing habits and make sure they’re planted close enough to each other to take advantage of the benefits they provide each other.