Companion planting is a gardening technique where plants are grown together to benefit each other. It helps improve growth, reduce pests, and maximize yields. Here’s a detailed guide to companion planting:
Benefits of Companion Planting:
- Pest Control: Some plants, like marigolds, repel pests. For example, planting marigolds near tomatoes can deter nematodes and aphids.
- Improved Growth: Certain plant pairings can enhance each other’s growth. For instance, beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits heavy feeders like corn.
- Space Efficiency: Growing complementary plants together makes the best use of garden space. For example, planting carrots under taller crops like tomatoes saves room.
Examples of Companion Plant Pairings:
- Tomatoes and Basil: Basil repels whiteflies and enhances tomato flavor.
- Corn, Beans, and Squash (Three Sisters): Corn provides support for beans, beans enrich the soil, and squash acts as a natural mulch, retaining moisture.
- Cabbage and Dill: Dill attracts beneficial insects like wasps, which prey on cabbage worms.
Plants to Avoid Pairing:
- Avoid planting onions near beans, as onions can inhibit bean growth.
- Keep fennel away from most plants, as it can stunt their growth.