Basiland tomatoes . Carrotsandonions . Mosquito fern and rice . Squash , maize , and beans . Marigolds andtomatoes . All of these are examples of associate planting , also known as polyculture , plant affiliation , or intercropping . Some of these combination are say to deterunwanted insects , along with mice , moles , and other gnawer .
Is companion planting folk wisdom or based in science?
You discover a wad about companion planting once you start reading about organic gardening . But is there any the true to it ? The solvent is yes , depending on what you ’re trying to achieve .
Folk wisdom holds that comrade planting amend the flavor of some plant life . Since the sapidity of the plant is influenced by literally hundreds of factors , including soil , atmospheric condition , variety , and the time of daylight it ’s beak , we wo n’t go there . But companion planting has show its deserving clip and again in shading and supporting plants , improve soil , attracting beneficial insects , improving pollination , fixing nitrogen in the territory , and repelling worm pests and some mammal like mice .
Planting annuals like Marigolds , Zinnias , Sunflowers , Sweet Alyssum , Borage , and Cosmos in your vegetable bedsattract pollinator all time of year . As the pollinators are close by your vegetables and fruits when they ’re in flower , pollenation increases on those food crops and , consequently , their proceeds . to boot , many flowering plants are bed to repel sure worm pests : Ants wo n’t go near mints , flea beetle detest Marigolds , and flies and mosquitos are fight off by Basil .
you may also use companion planting toattract birdsthat rust undesirable dirt ball . For instance , sunflowers implant in or near your veggie beds serve as an excellent pole for modest birds . From that spot , they can spy insects in the garden which become a profligate repast .
Reasons for Companion Planting
Ultimately , you ’ll have to experiment in your garden to notice the best companion plants , as much will depend on the veg and fruit you develop , the amount of garden space you have , and which pest seem to return each year .
The right economic consumption of the chart below is as a preventive . For instance , works companions like Dill , Marigolds , andOnionsin your dough beds every season from the start to keep pest at alcove like Cabbage Moths , Cabbage Loopers , and Cabbage Butterflies . Plant leafy greens near marvelous plants and take reward of the shade they cast . Plant beansat the base of corn – noggin fix nitrogen which the Zea mays needs and the maize leave a tough social organization for the bean to climb . Companion planting has many benefit .
