Introduction

The basis for companion planting is that of placing of plants together having complementary needs. These needs relate to health, nutrition, use of physical space and interactions with weeds, or insects and other organisms.

The interrelationships between plants and their environment is very complex and our knowledge based on scientific research about companion planting is insufficient for me to begin to speak with authority on the subject. Instead, I will primarily explain the different angles to consider.

Strategies

Companion planting for better plant growth – this seems to be the angle that is most often thought of when one speaks of companion planting. It is a premise based on observation that some plants do better when planted in close proximity to one another, some do worse and some combinations appear to have a neutral effect on each other. This would be based on the list that has been circulating for the last 30 years, which was from Rodale's Feb. 1972 Organic Gardening and Farming magazine – "A List of Common Garden Vegetables, Their Companions and Their Antagonists".

Some are noted for having all around beneficial effect on all other plants for reasons such as:

• Attract bees (African Blue Basil)
• Increase oil content in certain herbs (stinging nettle)
• Concentrate certain nutrients in it's body (stinging nettle)
• Encourage health and disease resistance (Valerian)
• Soil life stimulation (stinging nettles)
• Soil regeneration (sow thistle, rye plant)

For nutrition "over time" – crop rotation

Complementary nutritional needs – pole beans (heavy givers) and corn (heavy feeders) planted together or crop rotation is a form of this.

Physical complementarity

• Sun/shade – plant lettuce in the partial shade provided at the edge of a corn planting.>
• Fast and slow maturing – radishes and broccoli>
• Vertical location of plant's edible part – Corn and winter squash

Insect/"pest" control – This capitalizes on well developed aroma and essential oil accumulations and may involve repellency, trap cropping, antagonist root exudation, beneficial root exudation or attracting beneficial parasites, predators or birds that feed on what we call "pests". Some examp

Ants – Spearmint, tansy, pennyroyal
Nematodes – Mexican and French marigold
Aphids – yellow nasturtiums
Tomato worm – borage

I think the most important strategy we can employ is to:

• Incorporate a broad spectrum of herbs (allowed to flower).
• Plant flowers that attract beneficials providing pollen and nectar (alternate food source).
• Eliminate any use of broad-spectrum toxic pesticides.
• Become an observant participant in your garden learning to read its story and responding with compassion and good stewardship.
• Realize there is an underlying order and harmony in all of creation Ð become aware of it, honor it and work within it

May your garden be a refuge for life abundantly.

Adapted from John Jeavons book, "How to Grow more Vegetables on Less Land", which is a good resource on this subject. See his 8th edition on sale here today!

Posted: 15-Nov-2003