Companion Planting

Companion planting involves growing two or more plants in the same area to achieve a specific effect.  A particular plant may add needed nutrients to the soil, for example legumes are known to add nitrogen, or perhaps, they may distract pests and/or lure beneficial insects. Others may protect delicate plants from the sun and wind. There are many benefits to companion planting.

Companion Planting Do's

• Cucumbers are not happy campers when planted close to many varieties of herbs.  However, there is no evidence of the herbs being affected by the cucumbers.

• Cabbages do well with some cucumber plants nearby. By the time you plant cucumber seeds the cabbages will have a good start. When hot days come, the cucumber vines can "hide" from the hot, wilting sun under the cabbage leaves.

• Radishes and cucumbers both do better planted close to each other.  Try planting cucumbers around a bed of radish. As the radishes are harvested the cucumbers can fill out the centre area.

• Parsley and carrots do well planted together.

• Grow plants that need good pollination close to aromatic plants that attract pollinating creatures.

• Plant tomatoes by your asparagus.  A substance called asparagin in asparagus repels tomato pests

• Garlic and yarrow enhance the production of oils in herbs.

• Beets improve the production of onions.

• Marigolds are ideal companions through out the garden, as they're reputed to attract hoverflies, which prey on aphids, as well as reduce the number of nematodes in the soil.

• Chives planted around the base of fruit trees will discourage insects from climbing the trunk.

• Nasturtiums are another great flower in the garden as they hold aphids, cabbage worms, and Colorado beetles at bay, and deter woolly aphids, squash bugs and whiteflies.

• Bush beans and potatoes, are excellent companions because they protect each other from beetle attack.

• Radishes can be planted in the same row as carrots because the radishes will germinate rapidly and loosen the soil for the later emerging carrots. The radishes are harvested and the carrots are left to fill in the spaces.

• Garlic improves the growth and health of roses and raspberries.  It also deters Japanese beetles.

• A beneficial relationship is planting carrots and onions together.  The onion scent masks the carrot scent hence fooling the dreaded carrot fly.

• Chives enhance the flavour and growth of tomatoes, carrots, apples, berries and grapes. They also are thought to repel aphids and Japanese beetles.

• Basil improves the flavour of many garden vegetables, specifically tomatoes and lettuce, and repels flies and mosquitoes.

• Plant cool weather crops (spinach, lettuce) between hotter weather crops (tomatoes).  The tomatoes will shield the spinach and lettuce from the hot sun but allow enough diffused sunlight through so the spinach and lettuce will still survive.

• Lemon Balm attracts bees for pollination.

Companion Planting Don'ts

• Do not plant cabbage or onion with beans.

• Do not plant onions with peas.

• Sunflowers are best planted alone although they are thought to assist in the growth of beans and cucumbers.

• Keep herbs away from your cucumber plants.

• Walnuts will kill almost anything within reach of their roots!

• Don't plant carrots near dill.  They will be smaller and fewer the closer they are to it.

• Keep fennel away from your garden because it is disliked by most plants.
   

By Colleen Blouin

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