by Greg Spinks

Created on: March 27, 2009

Companion planting in the vegetable garden can be a significant step towards a rewarding season. While there are advancing scientific research studies compiled on the benefits of the practice, it has been a time honored activity among generations of gardeners over the centuries.

Companion planting is using a variety of plants together in close proximity which get along together well. It can be a any combination of herbs, flowers,vegetables and even "weeds", which mutually benefit each other, the soil and which repel or attract natural insects. Biodiversity is as important good garden practice as is crop rotations.

For example, the herb, borage, commonly known as the bee plant, is a great companion plant for attracting essential pollinators to the vegetable garden and is believed by some to further improve the taste of tomatoes. Beans and peas are legumes which help with soil nutrients, particularly nitrogen. Dahlias and marigolds have properties which can repel nematodes, while nasturtiums are great for the curcurbit or cucumber family by repelling other destructive pests. Yarrow, like the nasturtiums also repels many destructive pests and the leaves can be used to help "heat up" the compost pile.

Other good plants and herbs to use in the vegetable garden are: daisies, cone flowers, parsley, dill, garlic and candelua or pot marigold. Candelua, like nasturtiums and borage are edible and medicinal so they, and some others, have added benefits when grown with vegetables.

Weeds are plants growing where we don't want them but some are also good companion plants when they are domesticated or tamed down. Some, like candelua and nasturtiums are also edible; sheperd's purse, chickweed, burdock, stinging nettle and lambsquarters are a few edible weeds. Joe Pye weed is beneficial to many native pollinators as are wild asters. Motherwort is a good weed for attracting bees; Queen Anne's Lace and Pigweed provide shelter for ground beetles and help to break up the soil. Knowledge about weeds and how to use them can be part of the companion garden when properly controlled.

For the home gardener, an added benefit of using a diversity of plants are money and time. Because the the proper mix of plants can increase soil fertility and repel destructive pests, less money needs to spent on other fertilizers and sprays, while enjoying increased harvest. The time saved by going green with companion planting is also a savings and allows gardeners additional time to spend on other projects.

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