by Bonnie Moss

Created on: February 07, 2009

Plants thrive in good company.

Farmers of long -gone past were aware of how important it was to have some form of order in their farming or gardening. This was a way to keep the plants healthy, repel insects and pests with no other tool but the plants and how they are grouped together. Plants that are not "friendly" together are planted separately.

There were no supportive scientific data to back up their findings. They conducted their experiments, with their lands as the laboratory using the trial and error method year after year. The gardeners of today use this method to help keep the earth healthy, minimize if not eliminate the use of chemicals for growth or pest and disease control. It keeps the soil balanced

Plants can be good companions to one another. They provide pest and insect control to their neighbors. It can be the scent, hormones and oils coming from their roots, flowers or leaves that help to discourage disease and harmful pests without losing their beneficial assets.

Taller sun-loving plants provide shade for the shorter plants that prefer the shade. Some plants provide extra nutrients, such as deep- rooted plants that bring out sulfur, potassium and calcium to the surface, for the benefit of the shallow-rooted ones to share.

Some plants act as fungicide, insect and pest repellants. Some plants accumulate sulfur well and this gives an odor that many pests avoid. Flowers and leaves with strong scent are known to repel flying insects.

Secretions from the roots inhibit weeds and kill parasitic worms and nematodes. Some gardeners provide a "trap" plant to absorb the disease or attract harmful pests without causing harm to itself. These plants can be used as borders, ground covers, backdrops or interplant to keep the plants happy and healthy and in good company.

SOME GOOD NEIGHBORS AND PARTNERS

Marigolds top the list. The strong scent from the flowers and foliage repel pests and the roots inhibit nematodes. Plant with vegetables and other flowering plants.

CAUTION:

Marigolds are not friendly with herbaceous plants. The root secretions can inhibit the growth of the herbs. If you must plant marigolds with herbs, don't plant them too close, keep them around the edges.

Foxglove ( Digitalis) have beautiful flowers and it is known to stimulate the growth of plants near it. It makes the neighboring plants disease resistant. It improves the storage qualities of fruits and vegetables and root vegetables probably due to gaseous secretions and minute hormones.

INSECT

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>