This colder weather has brought my outdoor work to somewhat of a halt.
Laying out your garden plan is like planning a community.
Certain plants do well with others. Certain plants support each other while
others don’t get along. They are very much like people and compete for
resources. They may bully each other and take more than their share of water,
sun and nutrients.
So as the mayor of your garden, it is you that can bring
harmony and prosperity to your town.
You don’t want to plant in long rows or large patches. This
is like a flashing neon sign to bugs and pests you don’t want or need.
Interplant your garden with flowers and herbs. This change in color and scent
has been proven to confuse the critters. Plus certain flowers and herbs can
bring the “good” insects to your garden. For instance, bees are needed for
pollination.
An age-old method is “three sister planting”. Groupings such as corn, beans and
squash work great together. The corn acts as a support for the beans as they
both grow. Beans put nitrogen in to the soil, which corn needs. The squash
grows quickly and provides shade and provide a natural week block.
I found these great combinations (below) written by Todd Weinmann of
the North Dakota State University Agriculture Extension. This list has helped me a lot and I hope it also helps you
in deciding where to plant.
ASPARAGUS - Companions: Basil,
parsley, tomato. Ally:
Pot marigold deters beetles.
BEANS - Companions: Beet (to bush
beans only), cabbage family, carrot, celery, chard, corn, cucumber, eggplant,
pea, potatoes, radish, strawberry. Enemies:
Garlic, onion and shallot stunt the growth of beans. Allies: Marigold deters Mexican bean
beetles. Nasturtium and rosemary deter bean beetles. Summer savory deters bean
beetles, improves growth and flavor.
BEETS - Companions: Bush beans,
cabbage family, lettuce, onion. Ally:
Garlic improves growth and flavor. Enemies: Pole beans and beets stunt each
other's growth.
CABBAGE FAMILY (Broccoli, Brussels
sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, kale and kohlrabi) - Companions: Beet, celery, chard,
cucumber, lettuce, onion, potato, and spinach. Allies: Chamomile and garlic improve growth and flavor.
Catnip,
hyssop, rosemary and sage deter cabbage moth. Dill improves growth and health.
Mint deters cabbage moth and ants, improves health and flavor. Nasturtium
deters bugs, beetles, and aphids. Southernwood deters cabbage moth, improves
growth and flavor. Tansy deters cabbageworm and cutworm. Thyme deters
cabbageworm.
Enemies: Kohlrabi and tomato stunt
each other's growth.
CARROTS - Companions: Bean, lettuce,
onion, pea, pepper, radish, tomato. Allies:
Chives improve growth and flavor. Rosemary and sage deter carrot fly. Enemy:
Dill retards growth.
CELERY - Companions: Bean, cabbage
family and tomato. Allies:
Chives and garlic deter aphids. Nasturtium deters bugs and aphids.
CHARD - Companions: Bean, cabbage
family and onion
CORN - Companions: Bean, cucumber,
melon, parsley, pea, potato, pumpkin, squash. Enemies: Tomatoes and corn are attacked by the same
worm. Allies: Odorless
marigold and white geranium deter Japanese beetles. Pigweed raises nutrients
from the subsoil to where the corn can reach them.
CUCUMBER -Companions: Bean, cabbage
family, corn, pea, radish, tomato Enemy:
Sage is generally injurious to cucumber. Allies: Marigold deters beetles.
Nasturtium
deters aphids, beetles and bugs, improves growth and flavor.
Oregano
deters pests in general. Tansy deters ants, beetles, bugs, flying insects.
EGGPLANT -Companions: Bean, pepper. Allies: Marigold deters nematodes.
LETTUCE -Companions: Beet, cabbage
family, carrot, onion, radish, strawberry. Allies: Chives and garlic deter aphids.
MELONS -Companions: Corn, pumpkin,
radish, squash. Allies:
Marigold deters beetles. Nasturtium deters bugs and beetles. Oregano provides
general pest protection
ONlONS - Companions: Beet, cabbage
family, carrot, chard, lettuce, pepper, strawberry, tomato. Enemies: Onions stunt bean, pea. Allies: Chamomile and summer savory
improve growth and flavor. Pigweed raises nutrients from subsoil and makes them
available to the onions. Sow thistle improves growth and health.
PARSLEY - Companions: Asparagus,
corn, tomato
PEAS -Companions: Bean, carrot, corn,
cucumber, radish, and turnip. Allies:
Chives deter aphids. Mint improves health and flavor. Enemies: Garlic and onion stunt the
growth of peas.
PEPPERS -Companions: Carrot,
eggplant, onion and tomato
POTATOES - Companions: Beans, cabbage
family, corn, eggplant, pea. Enemies:
Tomatoes and potatoes are attacked by the same blight. Allies: Horseradish, planted at the
corners of the potato patch, provides general protection. Marigold deters
beetles.
PUMPKINS - Companions: Corn, melon,
squash. Allies:
Marigold deters beetles. Nasturtium deters bugs, beetles. Oregano provides
general pest protection.
RADISHES -Companions: Bean, carrot,
cucumber, lettuce, melon, and pea. Allies:
Chervil and nasturtium improve growth and flavor. Enemy: Hyssop
SPINACH -Companions: Cabbage family,
strawberry
SQUASH- Companions: Corn, melon, and
pumpkin. Allies: Borage
deters worms, improves growth and flavor. Marigold deters beetles. Nasturtium
deters squash bugs and beetles. Oregano provides general pest protection.
STRAWBERRY- Companions: Bean,
lettuce, onion, spinach, thyme. Enemy:
Cabbage. Allies: Borage
strengthens resistance to insects and disease. Thyme, as a border, deters
worms.
TOMATOES - Companions: Asparagus,
carrot, celery, cucumber, onion, parsley, pepper. Enemies: Corn and tomato are attacked
by the same worm. Mature dill retards tomato growth. Kohlrabi stunts tomato
growth. Potatoes and tomatoes are attacked by the same blight. Allies: Basil repels flies and mosquitoes,
improves growth and flavor. Bee balm, chives and mint improve health and
flavor.
Borage
deters tomato worm, improves growth and flavor. Dill, until mature, improves
growth and health. Once mature, it stunts tomato growth. Marigold deters
nematodes. Pot marigold deters tomato worm and general garden pests,
TURNIPS - Companion: Pea
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