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“What would you do if I sang out of tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me?” This Beatles classic always brings a smile to my face and makes me think of plants and their allies. Plants, just like us, thrive on relationships. Companion planting is all about creating those relationships among plants to build diverse and supportive ecosystems.
Table of Contents
- What is Companion Planting?
- Why Companion Planting Matters
- Tomatoes and Their Best Friends
- Potatoes: The Easy-ish Crop
- Onions: Love and Hate
- Cabbage: The Sauerkraut Star
- Carrots: The Cheerleaders of the Garden
- Where to Buy These Seeds?
- The Bigger Picture
What is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is like having a best friend hang with you all day that has your back NO. MATTER. WHAT! No, but really! Companion planting is grouping very specific crops together to help support one another so that they all thrive together. All plants help one another by providing diversity, allowing different habitats to form, suppressing weeds, deterring pests and so much more.
Why Companion Planting Matters
Companion planting is more than just a garden technique; it’s about harmony with nature. Just like humans, plants benefit from good neighbors. When plants grow together, they help each other thrive by:
- Confusing and diverting pests
- Creating beneficial microclimates
- Attracting pollinators and helpful insects
This technique is essential for maintaining a healthy and productive garden. Let’s dive into some companion plants you can use to boost your crops!
Tomatoes and Their Best Friends
Basil: The Pest Protector
Tomatoes love basil. Aphids and other pests, however, don’t. Herbs like sage, oregano, parsley, and thyme also offer similar benefits. Growing these herbs alongside your tomatoes means fresh ingredients for a delicious spaghetti dinner, right from your garden!
Marigolds: The Guardian Flowers
Marigolds and tomatoes are best buds. They attract beneficial insects that help control aphids and caterpillars. They also serve as a trap crop for slugs and snails, keeping them away from your precious tomatoes. Plus, their strong scent deters rabbits, deer, cats, and even snakes. It’s a win-win!
Potatoes: The Easy-ish Crop
Potatoes can be a bit tricky, but with the right companions, they become much easier to grow. Here are some plant buddies for potatoes:
- Beans
- Onions
- Chives
- Thyme (plant on the southern side)
- Yarrow
- Chamomile
- Basil
- Sage
- Tansy
- Lovage
- Marigolds
- Calendula
- Nasturtiums
- Borage
- Clover
- Vetch
Onions: Love and Hate
Onions can be hit or miss. Sometimes they thrive, and other times, not so much. Here are some companions that can help onions grow better:
- Beets
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Summer savory
- Chamomile
- Roses
These companions work well for garlic too!
Cabbage: The Sauerkraut Star
Cabbage is a favorite in our garden, especially for making sauerkraut. It’s a gut-friendly addition to most meals, and even the kiddos love it! Here are some friends that help cabbage thrive:
- Beans
- Beets
- Buckwheat
- Onions
- Borage
- Chamomile
- Dill
- Marigolds
- Nasturtiums
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Yarrow
Carrots: The Cheerleaders of the Garden
Carrots are another favorite, especially fermented. They add a zesty kick to every meal. Here are some plants that make great companions for carrots:
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Chives
- Onions
- Leeks
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Tomatoes
- Wormwood
- Parsley
Where to Buy These Seeds?
We highly suggest always starting from seed. Whether it is your tomatoes or your marigolds. It is the most cost effective way to sustain your garden. Plus, once you put all that love into keeping them alive, chances are you’ll take care of them all the way to the end!
We buy almost all our seeds from Peaceful Valley at groworganic.com. Not only are they an amazing company but we have always seen 100% germination rate.
The Bigger Picture
Companion planting isn’t just about keeping pests away. It’s about creating a mini-ecosystem that mimics a healthy forest. Plants that grow well together can cover the ground, shading out weeds and protecting the soil. This technique helps maintain a balanced and thriving garden.
Remember, gardening is all about experimenting and observing. There’s no such thing as failure, only learning experiences. So get out there, try new combinations, and enjoy the process!
And if you find yourself saying “let’s gooo” like that commercial, give yourself a pat on the back for being a good sport. Happy planting!
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