Companion gardeningCompanion Planting Companion gardening can help you deter pests, boost growth and fill your garden with variety. If you are growing organically, you will certainly appreciate what companion planting can do for you. The concept of companion gardening is based on the idea that some plants benefit others when planted near each other. At the same time, some plants are detrimental to each other. Knowing about companion planting will help you avoid unfortunate pairings as much as making the most of friendly pairings. There are many books on the market as well as many online resources that will teach you about companion planting. You can also ask your local Extension Service for advice. How to Use Companion Planting in the Garden Instead of planting a whole bed of beans, intersperse it with another plant it gets along with, such as cabbage or cucumbers. Both plants will thrive. Beans and garlic, however don't get along. If you plant them near each other, both may have stunted growth and just not deliver what you wanted at the end of the season.
When using companion planting, you can plant these plants in adjacent areas, intermixed, or in pots set next to each other. If you mix up your vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs, you can attract beneficial insects and birds that will aid in pollination and in pest control. Some decorative plants like wormwood make good barrier plants for your garden, as they deter many pests. You may think the concept is a little strange at first, but when you see how well it works and how beautiful your garden is when in full growth, you'll soon see the many benefits of companion planting. Companion Plants and Care There are many companion planting charts online that are easy to refer to when you are planning your garden. Companion planting works especially well if you already use square foot gardening, or other method that does not require long straight rows. Companion plants often share the same care requirements and soil needs.
You'll find that by planting with this method, your maintenance will go down since you won't need to worry about pests as much. For example, if you plant rosemary or sage near your cabbage family plants (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, etc), the cabbage moth won't be such a problem. They don't like sage or rosemary.  If you plant garlic near these plants, it improves their flavor and growth. On the other hand, garlic and onions will stunt your beans, so don't plant them close to each other.
Watering and Soil fertilization Some companion plants will actually improve your soil. Beans and peas will help fix nitrogen in the soil, which helps plants that need a lot of nitrogen, such as corn. Watering should be done regularly as suggested on your seed packets or care tags that came with your seedlings. By integrating companion gardening into your organic garden, you'll be rewarded with better food, fewer pests, and a beautiful garden to enjoy. After a season or two, you won't even need to refer to the planting charts to ensure that you've got them all happily planted together.
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