Sunday, March 16, 2008
Companion Planting...
This article discusses the benefits of planting certain plants near each other. Everyone knows that planting marigolds keeps away harmful nematodes and certain pests like flea beetles, but there are plenty of other plant relationships to consider.
Some plants have allelopathic properties, that is, they exude some chemical from their roots that keeps other plants from growing near it. Bio-chemical warfare in the plant kingdom. Black Walnut, and Oak Trees come to mind, In the garden, tomatoes will kill any legume planted within a foot or two from them and competing. I tested this last year, by planting pole beans right next to my tomatoes (see picture in the post below). All of my pole beans did great-- right up to the last foot-and-a-half from where the tomatoes started. Same thing for beans versus anything in the brassica family (cabbage, broccoli, kohlrabi, etc.)-- they hate each other-- I learned this years ago, in one of my first gardens.
The article below, discusses the wonderful world of those plants that help others to flourish.
via Backwoods Home
There are virtually hundreds of examples of plant companions recorded in garden lore, and modern research substantiates their effectiveness. For instance strawberries, cabbage, and tomatoes can be planted in and around sage to benefit one another in the garden. But plant cucumbers with that same sage and you’ll have a disaster on your hands.
While everyone loves the idea of seed turning to vegetable, things can (and do) go wrong during the growing season, namely pests. As Jack Kramer pointed out in The Natural Way To Pest-Free Gardening, “Insects are a highly trained, well-ordered society. So well ordered they can quickly destroy valuable plants in the garden.”
That’s where companion planting comes in. By intermixing certain aromatic herbs, or pungent French marigolds, or any number of beneficial plants and flowers, the home gardener finds a natural deterrent which helps repel insects and better protects his crop.
The need for companion plants
I began experimenting with this method four years ago when I encountered my first tomato hornworm, and I’ll be the first to attest that the combination of sweet basil and French marigolds really do keep these pesky little (or not so little) caterpillars at bay.
Much of today’s companion planting is based on the combination of both fact and folklore, but scientists have enough evidence to convince them of the following:
* Plants with strong odors do confuse, deter, and oftentimes stop certain pests.
* Certain plants hide other certain plants we don’t want detected.
* Certain plants, and especially herbs, are considered nursery plants for the good insects providing shelter, nectar, pollen, and even dark, cool moist spots for lacewings, lady beetles, parasitic flies, and wasps.
* Certain plants serve as a “trap” crop, which pushes insects away from other essential plants (rue’s bad odor and disagreeable taste will keep even the most persistent of pests away).
* Certain plants create habitats which attract more beneficial insects (such as lady beetles, praying mantis, and ambush bugs).
Ideal planting crops are plants whose odors ward off unwanted insects. French marigolds are the best example. Not only does its strong odor literally confuse pests looking for their favorite plants, but their roots give off a substance which repels nematodes. The more you have planted in the garden, the better its effectiveness.
Among the most popular of repellent plants are garlic and chives because of their powerful ability to repel aphids and beetles. Similarly, savory, chamomile, and thyme are ideal planting crops. These three herbs will attract more beneficial insects than any bright, pretty flower will. So when you’re planning your summer garden, include plenty of each.
Virtually all herbs benefit the garden in some way, whether to attract good insects, enhance the flavor of nearby plants, or to confuse those insects we simply don’t want around.
One of the most dramatic and successful companion plantings that I know of is radishes with all squashes, cucumbers and melon plants. plant a radish seed on either side of one of these cucurbit seeds, and let the radishes bolt and grow all season. Their presence keeps away squash and cucumber beetles better than any spray or other method.
The best book that I have found on the subject of Companion Planting is by the late Louise Riotte, called "Carrots Love Tomatoes." Ms. Riotte's writing is wonderfully easy to read, and her companions/antagonists research is very thorough.
If you were to buy only two books on gardening, I'd highly recommend this book, and Mel Bartholomew's "Square Foot Gardening." Armed with only these two books, and a compost pile, your gardening skills will be unstoppable.
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Labels: Companion Planting, Gardening
