As humans, we need interaction with others to thrive. Have you ever noticed how you feel awful around someone whose vibe doesn’t match yours, while other people make us happy? It’s the same for plants. They have their friends that help them grow. In the garden world, we call this companion planting.
Why should we companion plant? Because it’s a healthier alternative to using pesticides. In the early 1950s, 11% of all our crops were sprayed with pesticides. Thirty years later, that number rose to 95%.
For me, I choose to companion plant and use other garden wisdom that I’ve learned to grow my fruits and veggies in my garden.
People ask me questions all the time about gardening. I give them all the advice that I have learned and what has worked for me. They usually don’t believe that I don’t dust my plants with something and are usually grossed out by some of my methods.
People always ask, “How do you keep off those big worms on tomatoes?”
My response is usually “I pick them off and take them to the edge of the yard.” They won’t make it back to your tomato plants before the need to go into a cocoon.
Those “worms” are the larvae for the beautiful Sphinx Moth, also known as the Hawk Moth. While touching those big fat tomato worms can be gross for some. It isn’t that bad! Think of the benefits of doing that versus spraying toxins all over something you are going to eat. Right?
Also, another thing to remember is, don’t always assume every insect you see is a pest. Beneficial insects like, lacewing, praying mantis, ladybugs, are great for your garden. They eat off the bad bugs. If you spray insecticides, you will be killing off those beneficial insects as well.
Here are some of my tips for companion planting in the garden:
Marigolds, Dill, and Basil, are the most common deterrents, and I have them planted abundantly throughout my garden. The black swallowtail uses the dill and parsley for a host plant, so I only harvest some and let them have the rest.
Sweet alyssum is a beneficial insect attractor and again can be planted throughout your garden to attract useful insects.
Below is a handy chart you can use to start with your companion planting garden. If the crop isn’t listed here, it’s because I don’t plant it, or it has little to no pests that bother it. If you are planting something that I don’t have listed, do an internet search for its companion plants.
Crop | Companion Herbs | Companion Flowers |
---|---|---|
Asparagus | Dill | Coreopsis |
Beans | Tarragon, Dill & Basil | Snapdragons, Salvias |
Broccoli | Parsley | Marigolds, Aster, Zinnias |
Brussel Sprouts | Fennel, Dill | Sweet Alyssum, Zinnias |
Cabbage | Dill | Calendula, Queen Ann's Lace |
Carrots | Chives, Onions | Calendula, Marigolds |
Cauliflower | Dill | Queen Ann's Lace |
Corn | Nasturtiums, Clover and Buckwheat | |
Cucumbers | Dill, Nasturtiums | Marigolds |
Eggplant | Basil, Dill | Marigolds |
Kale & Collards | Basil, Dill | Marigolds, Calendulas |
Melons | Radishes, Nasturtiums | Marigolds |
Peppers | Coriander, Basil | Marigolds, Cosmos, Sunflowers (short variety) |
Potatoes | Basil, Parsley | Marigolds |
**Pumpkins & Winter Squash | Nasturtiums, Buckwheat | Marigolds |
Spinach | Radishes | Sweet Alyssum |
Strawberries | Queen Ann's Lace | |
**Summer Squash | Basil, Radishes, Nasturtiums | Marigolds |
Sweet Potatoes | Dill, Basil | Tansy |
Tomato | Basil, Dill | Marigolds, Sunflower |
**Pumpkins, winter and summer squash. In my area, we have this lovely little bug called the squash bug that loves to kill these plants. While I have always planted my companion plants nearby, sometimes it seems they do get the best of me. They lay their eggs underneath the leaves of your plant. You can brush the eggs off into a cup and destroy them before they hatch. However, once they do hatch, you’ve got a lot of work on your hands trying to keep them off.
If you are having trouble with these pests, try to wait until the end of June to mid-July to plant your squash seeds. You will have a later crop, but you won’t have to deal with the pests that are already past their gestation stage at this time of the season.
I would love to hear from other companion planting gardeners about any special tips you have for organic gardening as well. Check back often as I will continue to update on my organic gardening.
Peace & Love, Ela
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