by CE Wynn

Created on: May 11, 2010   Last Updated: May 08, 2012

Companion planting has been around for centuries. Based on placing plants together that benefit each other, companion planting can reduce pests and disease, attract pollinators, increase yields or simply improve the taste of vegetables around them.

Reduce Pests and Disease

Rather then using chemicals to control pests and disease, pair plants together to control disease, and encourage beneficial insects to reduce the impact of pests.

Garlic is well know to have a variety of benefits, and is a very effective soil cleanser removing many fungal disease that can be transmitted by soil, such as black spot. Furthermore, Garlic can be used as a deterrent for rabbits, protecting crops that might otherwise be dug up or eaten.

Other strong smelling plants such as onions and chives can confuse pests from attacking certain vegetables. Disturbing the green foliage of carrots can attract the carrot fly insect. Planting chives and onions with carrots will hide the scent the carrot fly is attracted too.  Garlic, onions and chives can all prevent apple scab if planted under apple trees in consecutive years.

Companion plants can also attract predator insects, such as wasps, stick insects and hoverflies. Dill attracts parasitic wasps which lay eggs in aphids, killing the aphid when the eggs hatch.  Alyssum a small flowering ground cover can be planted with most vegetables, and will attract hoverflies which devour aphids, and the cherry and pear slug.

Pollinator Attractor

Without bees a vegetable garden will never provide a bountiful harvest.  Bees have an important role in the garden, and should be encouraged by planting not just vegetables but flowering herbs and plants. Plants that have bright flowers and a strong scent are great for attracting bees, some examples include marigolds, lavender and pansies.

Increase Production and Growth

There are many companion plants that improve the health and yield of nearby plants. Chamomile, borage and lovage all  improve the health of nearby plants, and can be planted in a border around vegetables that are prone to disease to boot the vegetables health. 

Nasturtiums have many benefits and will attract beneficial insects, bringing nitrogen to the soil surface for nearby plants to use. Beans and peas are both legumes, fixing nitrogen from the air for other plants to use. 

The three sisters, a common companion plant combination includes pumpkin, corn and beans. Corn requires cool roots to be successful, and the pumpkins large vines and leaves protect the corns roots from the heat of the day.  Both corn and pumpkin are heavy feeders and beans provide additional nitrogen while the corn and pumpkin are actively growing.  If beans are planted at the base of the corn, the corn will also support the beans as they climb.

Taste Enhancer

As well as being a great combination in the kitchen, basil will improve the taste of tomatoes. Parsley is know to improve the taste of both tomatoes and asparagus. While other herbs such as sweet marjoram will also improve the taste of nearby vegetables.

Even if you are not an organic gardener, companion planting will improve the health, yield and taste of your vegetable garden. Most beneficial plants are small and can be planted among vegetables at anytime. Get cracking and see what can be achieved when working with nature.

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