Living in Harmony: The Benefits of Companion Planting
Just like humans, some plants do better when surrounded by others. In fact, many gardeners know that having a diverse mix of plants makes for a healthier garden, but combining certain plants together can also make them more productive. Not only that, but companion planting is also a great way to save space, improve soil health, and even deter unwanted pests.
In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of companion planting, explain how this gardening method can be beneficial, and offer tips on how to start.
What Is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is the practice of growing certain plants together to improve their health and yield. This practice comes from the holistic notion that gardens are like ecosystems where the plants interact and work harmoniously to create a more bio-diverse and healthy environment.
According to research, the science behind this stems from chemical messaging and allelopathy in plants, which essentially refers to a plant’s chemistry affecting the growth of another. In traditional monoculture planting, only planting one type of crop in a single area allows for large-scale farming, but it also increases reliance on fertilizers and pesticides for the plants to survive.
In contrast, polyculture, or companion planting, leads to greater biodiversity because it enhances water conservation and nutrient cycling and helps deter pests and diseases. While this research-based approach was initially designed for larger-scale farming practices, the same idea can be applied to home gardens when planting fruits, veggies, herbs, and flowers.
What Are the Benefits of Companion Planting?
There are several advantages to companion planting in your home garden. While the exact benefits can vary depending on the specific types of plants you choose to grow together, some of the most common are:
Space efficiency
Many homeowners run into issues when wanting to plant a garden, such as not having enough space to plant everything. With companion planting, however, you can maximize space by planting different plants closer together. This is especially ideal for those who are using raised garden beds.
Pest prevention
Planting certain aromatic flowers or herbs next to your fruits and veggies can deter pests. Some companion plants can also act as “trap crops,” which means they draw attention away from your more important crops that you don’t want to ruin.
Improved soil health
Certain companion plants are used because they have deep roots, which help bring nutrients to the soil surface, making those nutrients readily available for other plants whose roots do not run as deep. Another way companion plants help with soil health is by absorbing certain substances, which then changes the chemistry of the soil, making it more beneficial for other plants.
Attracts pollinators
Growing companion flowers in your garden is great for attracting pollinators. Some crops, such as squash, melons, and cucumbers, depend on pollinators to produce their fruit. In general, having a garden that helps support pollinators is important for helping local wildlife and ecosystems survive.
Weed control
Weeds often take control when there is room for them to grow in bare soil. Since companion planting requires planting closer together, it can prevent weeds from taking hold. Buckwheat, for example, is a great weed-controlling companion plant as it only grows in the bare spots of your garden.
Ideal Companion Planting Combinations for Your Garden
To help you get started on your co-planting journey, we’ve put together a little companion plant cheat sheet:
| Plant | Friendly Companions | Do NOT plant next to | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Basil | Asparagus, beans, beets, bell peppers, cabbage, marigolds, eggplant, oregano, potatoes, tomatoes | Rue |
|
|
Beans | Carrots, chard, beets, peas, corn, cabbage, cucumbers, radishes | Onions, garlic |
|
|
Cabbage family (kale, cauliflower, broccoli) | Beets, peppermint, sage, onion, chard, corn, spinach, sunflowers | Fennel, pole beans, tomatoes, strawberries |
|
|
Carrots | Lettuce, beans, onions, peas, tomatoes, peppers | Dill |
|
|
Cantaloupe | Sunflowers, corn | Potatoes |
|
|
Corn | Squash, sunflowers, cucumber, marjoram, peas | Tomatoes |
|
|
Cucumber | Beans, radishes, sunflowers, cabbage family, English peas | Aromatic herbs, Irish potatoes |
|
|
Onions | Carrot, beets, lettuce, asparagus, strawberries, tomatoes, cabbage family | Beans, English peas |
|
|
Potatoes | Basil, beans, garlic, corn, celery, marigolds, onions, horseradish, spinach, peas | Squash, tomatoes, cucumber, raspberries, sunflowers, peppers, melons, cabbage, asparagus |
|
|
Radishes | Cabbage, beets, carrots, chives, kale, lettuce, spinach, squash | Hyssops |
|
|
Spinach | Strawberries | Potatoes |
|
|
Squash | Corn, beans, dill, marigolds, radishes, sunflowers, strawberries, peas | Broccoli, cabbage |
|
|
Strawberries | Bush beans, caraway, lettuce, chives, onions, sage, squash, spinach | Cabbage, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes |
|
|
Tomatoes | Parsley, basil, asparagus, carrots, onion, celery, peppers | Corn, potatoes, fennel, cabbage |
|
|
Zucchini | Corn, beans, dill, garlic, oregano, peas, spinach, radishes, marigolds | Potatoes, pumpkin |
Additional Companion Planting Tips
In addition to what plants grow well together, here are a few more tips to help get you started:
- Avoid planting in rows: Intermingling herbs and flowers with your veggies and fruits rather than planting in neat rows can help protect against pest attacks.
- Try intercropping: Plant your fast-growing edible plants next to slow-growing ones to maximize space. For example, radishes will be ready to harvest when your melons or squash are ready to grow more and take over their spaces.
- Match conditions: Grow plants together that prefer similar conditions, such as those that need similar light or water conditions. In the same vein, you should keep plants that are prone to similar diseases apart to reduce the chance of disease spreading.
- Shade match: For plants that need more shade, grow them next to taller plants that can block out the sun.
Watering can often be a little tricky when companion planting, so it’s important to try to group plants together with similar water needs. Drip irrigation is a great way to water a companion planted garden. With drip irrigation, you can use drip tubing and various emitters to precisely direct the right amount of water for each plant or area of your garden without overwatering or wasting water.
For more convenience, you can automate your garden irrigation schedule by setting up a watering timer for your hose to ensure your plants get exactly what they need. Rain Bird offers a wide range of drip irrigation products to help get you started.
Create Your Dream Garden Today!
Companion planting is a great way to make the most of your garden. Not only is it beneficial to you by ensuring healthier plants and better yields, but it’s also better for the environment by helping support biodiversity and the local ecosystems and wildlife.
