Companion planting vegetables is the name given to the practice of planting certain vegetables together to optimise plant health and crop yield. Some plants get on better when they grow in the vicinity of certain others, and if two plants growing together leads to benefits for one or both of them then they can be called companions.
Some plants can affect light levels, shelter and soil nutrition. If two plants are competing for the same nutrition, they will not thrive, but a plant with a deep root system planted beside one with a shallow root system are more likely to get on. Some plants help others by interfering with pests and diseases. Carrot flies are confused by onions, so inter-planting carrots and onions is a good example of companion planting vegetables. Climbing plants such as pole beans benefit from being planted alongside tall plants such as corn.
Companion planting vegetables is widely used by organic gardeners. The requirement for pesticides is naturally reduced because the plants themselves do a good job of controlling pests and diseases. And because each plant is benefiting its neighbour, growth is optimised without the need for artificial fertilisers.
The important thing to remember is that although there are general guidelines that hold true the world over, there are some partnerships that vary with climate or location. Grow your own gardeners must not take the plant arrangements as set in stone, but rather as a starting guideline from which to do their own testing and experimenting to see what type of companion planting works best for them in their own particular set of circumstances.
At present in the global climate of financial hardship it is especially important for everyone to improve efficiency. For vegetable gardeners, whether a large scale grower or a home gardener, that means getting the best yield possible in order to mitigate the effects of austerity measures. An annual family grocery bill could be cut by hundreds with a large healthy crop from the garden.
Companion planting vegetables has been happening for centuries as gardeners taken careful note of those plant partnerships that work well and why. Companion planting guidelines have been passed from one generation to another so we can save time and effort and get the most out of our crops.
Companion planting doesn't have to just involve the co-planting of vegetables. Flowers and herbs can be very helpful in the vegetable plot too, where they help to repel pests and diseases. Flowers that are commonly grown around or between vegetables include marigolds, nasturtiums and sunflowers, and herbs that are useful as companions include rosemary, thyme, sage and mint. Some fruit also likes to be planted in the company of other plants; strawberries and sage go well, and pests will be deterred by garlic planted around the base of a fruit tree.
Although it has been around for centuries, companion planting is growing in popularity now as it is seen as eco-friendly, and as more people take to growing their own food it is increasingly important to optimise yield. There are a huge number of people on the planet to feed - let each plant count!
Some plants can affect light levels, shelter and soil nutrition. If two plants are competing for the same nutrition, they will not thrive, but a plant with a deep root system planted beside one with a shallow root system are more likely to get on. Some plants help others by interfering with pests and diseases. Carrot flies are confused by onions, so inter-planting carrots and onions is a good example of companion planting vegetables. Climbing plants such as pole beans benefit from being planted alongside tall plants such as corn.
Companion planting vegetables is widely used by organic gardeners. The requirement for pesticides is naturally reduced because the plants themselves do a good job of controlling pests and diseases. And because each plant is benefiting its neighbour, growth is optimised without the need for artificial fertilisers.
The important thing to remember is that although there are general guidelines that hold true the world over, there are some partnerships that vary with climate or location. Grow your own gardeners must not take the plant arrangements as set in stone, but rather as a starting guideline from which to do their own testing and experimenting to see what type of companion planting works best for them in their own particular set of circumstances.
At present in the global climate of financial hardship it is especially important for everyone to improve efficiency. For vegetable gardeners, whether a large scale grower or a home gardener, that means getting the best yield possible in order to mitigate the effects of austerity measures. An annual family grocery bill could be cut by hundreds with a large healthy crop from the garden.
Companion planting vegetables has been happening for centuries as gardeners taken careful note of those plant partnerships that work well and why. Companion planting guidelines have been passed from one generation to another so we can save time and effort and get the most out of our crops.
Companion planting doesn't have to just involve the co-planting of vegetables. Flowers and herbs can be very helpful in the vegetable plot too, where they help to repel pests and diseases. Flowers that are commonly grown around or between vegetables include marigolds, nasturtiums and sunflowers, and herbs that are useful as companions include rosemary, thyme, sage and mint. Some fruit also likes to be planted in the company of other plants; strawberries and sage go well, and pests will be deterred by garlic planted around the base of a fruit tree.
Although it has been around for centuries, companion planting is growing in popularity now as it is seen as eco-friendly, and as more people take to growing their own food it is increasingly important to optimise yield. There are a huge number of people on the planet to feed - let each plant count!
About the Author:
Companion Planting is a new app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Saving you time and effort in the vegetable garden, it is not to be missed. Find out more at Companion Planting Vegetables.
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