Companion Planting

Traditional research is mostly focused on chemicals, growth hormones, GMO’s, and an array of company-funded projects but not on companion planting. Few researchers are venturing out and doing innovative work that benefits the small individual gardener or small organic farm. But times are changing, and there are organizations that are looking at alternative methods of growing on both a smaller scales and larger scales. 

What I write here is up for debate and open to disagreement or fresh perspective. I have tried some things that have worked for me. Others have tried and reported it did not do well for them. Therefore, I recommend you make notes of those that work for you and continue that particular practice.

What is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is gardening based on how certain plants behave with other plants either for the better or worse. These are usually a mix of flowers and vegetables. There are various factors at play and I describe each so that you may choose to do some to help ward off those pests.

Chemical pest control or suppression

Some plants help with insect and disease control through chemicals they emit via their root systems or through their leaves. Marigold is the most popular and is known to repel nematodes. Black walnut is a popular tree that emits allelochemicals, where the tree does not allow any type of plant to grow within a certain perimeter of its trunk. Then there are the pine needles with terpenes that prevent seed germination, though they are great as mulch in established beds like asparagus.

Trap crops 

Trap crops are plantings that attract insects that aren’t beneficial to the plants and become their hosts, in turn, it keeps the insects away from the vegetable plants.

Beneficial attractions

Beneficial attractions occurs when the plants attract beneficial insects that, in turn, will attack the bad insects and keep populations down or in check.

Physical complementary interactions

There are other types of benefits, such as the maximizing of space. In the case of a root crop next to an above ground plant. A tall plant that helps shade another plant that thrives when partially shaded during the heat of the day. This type of complementary use of space allows a greater production and diversity of use. Even if one crop gets attacked and production fails, there are others left behind, leaving you with plenty of food from that given space in your garden.

Symbiotic relationships

These occur when complementary plantings actually increase productivity. Most commonly is the use of legumes, such as peas or clover, that fix nitrogen in their roots by way of a symbiotic relationship with special bacteria (see blog on soybeans for more information Growing soybeans) and, in turn, this nitrogen is then utilized by the neighboring plants, as in the case of beans and corn.  

How to Implement Companion Planting  

When planting, if two plants are not complementary, that doesn’t mean you have to choose between them. Not at all! Rather, you would not plant them next to each other in the same bed. Therefore, the plant list below is a guide that should be used. I recommend taking notes when you use it. I know that my tomatoes have done very well when I planted next to the basil and not too far away from the parsley. Which one was responsible for my high production? Hard to say, as I had no real test for comparative analysis. 

For a complete list and to further your reading get my paperback copy:  ‘Garden the Organic Way’ and become an expert gardener. Garden the Organic Way is a comprehensive guide to organic gardening, designed for all skill levels. The book provides methods for growing delicious, pesticide-free vegetables using sustainable practices. https://gardentheorganicway.etsy.com

A partial list of companion planting for organic growers