![]() That means they do not require the action of a pollinator to develop fruit. Some vegetables like tomatoes, green beans, peppers, and peas are considered self-fertile. Pairing fruit or vegetable plants with flowers like calendula or borage is the perfect way to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies to your garden. ![]() Yet if limited space or other circumstances leads you to break the rules – don’t stress about it too much!īasil and French marigolds planted amongst the tomatoes and eggplant.Ĭompanion Plants Attract Pollinators & Beneficial Insects My suggestion is to make a modest effort to follow the “rules” of companion planting. In all, I try to set my plants up to live their best life, with as few hindrances as possible. Perhaps it was just an off year? Or maybe it was the nuisance neighbor. They still grew, though I do admit they seemed less healthy and vigorous than usual. I will chug along and live my life, perhaps just a little less happily…įor instance, we have inter-planted beans with peppers in the past, as well as garlic near peas – both supposed incompatible foes. But will I up and die if I have to live in close proximity to someone I don’t particularly care for? No, probably not. We don’t adore all of them, right? We all have different needs, lifestyles, and tolerance for nuisance. I like to think of the “no-no” planting combos like neighbors. ![]() Those make clear sense to me! When possible, I try to avoid the frowned-upon combinations too – but with less scrutiny. However, I pay most attention to the beneficial planting combinations (described more below). ![]() If many gardeners have seen the results of companion planting in their own garden, I say it is worth considering.Ĭompanion planting must have some truth behind it, or it wouldn’t be such a popular subject in the gardening world. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s all bunk though! Experimentation and personal observation is how all scientific theories get started, after all. I’ve tried to research scholarly articles that back companion planting with science, and let’s just say they’re lacking. This is especially true when it comes to the supposed incompatible plants. Just like the pea and onion example above, much of companion planting “proof” is mostly based on theory or anecdotal evidence. How Important or Scientific is Companion Planting? So we put the peppers elsewhere and planted swiss chard at the base of the beans instead. In this space, I wanted to grow pepper plants in front of the climbing pole beans… but then remembered that peppers and beans are supposedly incompatible. Pole beans add nitrogen to the soil (which feeds both the squash and corn) and can utilize the corn as a support trellis to climb. They shade the soil and help it retain moisture. The corn grows tall and thin, leaving open space for sprawling squash plants below. It is perfect for maximizing yield in compact spaces. Take the classic Native American “Three Sisters”companion planting combination of corn, squash and beans for example. Other relationships may be as simple as one providing shade for the other. Some may have a profound relationship, relying on each others natural plant hormones to promote growth or protection. ![]() I call these “good friends” in our companion planting chart. “Companion planting is growing two (or more) crops near each other with the theory that they help each other in nutrient uptake, improved pest management and reduced pesticide use, enhanced pollination and higher vegetable yields.”Ī recommended companion planting combination usually provides some sort of benefit to one (or both) of the plants, or brings an added perk to your garden in general. The University of Massachusetts Center for Agriculture further explains: Thankfully, as you’ll see in the companion planting chart at the end of this article, there are far more plants that get along than those that don’t. In the most general terms, companion planting is the idea that some plants thoroughly enjoy growing near one another. I’ll also share our handy companion planting chart as an easy reference guide at the end. This article will discuss the general concept, how important (or not) companion planting really is, tips to get started, and some of the real benefits of companion planting – such as attracting pollinators. And then trying to remember what planting combinations are suggested, or which are frowned upon? Talk about confusing! So, let’s explore the world of companion planting. Some gardeners swear by it, while others say it is nothing but a bunch of baloney. ![]()
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