What are companion plants?
In your raised garden beds, will you plant some companion plants for better growth? Companion plants are plants that are planted together. For example, plants that like shade and sunlight, plants with deep and shallow roots, and plants with high and low nutrient requirements are planted together, which are the so-called companion plants.Several plants interact with each other to promote growth, prevent the occurrence of pests and diseases, increase harvest, save planting space, make full use of nutrients in the soil, and be richer in visual and olfactory effects. In particular, the combination of vegetables and herbs has always been a favorite.
Most gardeners will choose to grow rosemary as a companion plant, which is perfect for blooming and spice.
Mutual growth of plants
For example, in order to obtain more growth space and sunlight, some plants continue to extend branches and leaves, expand the site, block, restrict, and restrain the growth of other species so as to win the "competition". Some different plants are planted together, and soon they will find wilting, withered flowers and no fruit; some two kinds of plants wither at the same time, and even die prematurely, which we call "enemies."
Of course, plants, like animals, also have a harmonious relationship. We all know that there is a symbiotic relationship between many animals, such as rhinos and rhino-birds, sea anemones and hermit crabs, clownfish and sea anemones, etc., which are typical symbiotic relationships of mutual benefit. In the plant kingdom, there is also a similar symbiotic relationship, which we call "friends".
Take full advantage of plant symbiosis:
Whether we are simply planting, or choose to plant according to the following table to give full play to the associated role of plants, our primary consideration is to provide a suitable environment for plants to grow.
Most problems can be easily solved with a Vegega raised beds. One metal raised garden bed is multi-purpose, with various sizes, and the spacious space can plant different kinds of plants on the bed, so there is no need to worry about the problem of plants.
Vegetable symbiosis
Many plants also love and help each other. Since beans can use rhizobia to increase nitrogen fertilizer in the soil, squash can provide good mulch for corn, and jade can provide scaffolding for trailing beans.
Another example, marigolds can emit a chemical that kills nematodes, so it is a good companion for vegetables that are vulnerable to nematodes, such as tomatoes and green peppers. The sweet little flowers of dill can attract parasitic wasps, which are natural enemies of cabbage, aphids, and beetles, so dill is a good friend of cabbage, as well as cucumbers.
In addition, onions cannot be planted with beans, but they are good partners with carrots. Tomatoes and potatoes should not be planted together because they can easily spread diseases from one another.
So, understanding the friendships and likes and dislikes between plants can help us know which vegetables and plants are better and which should not be planted together in the garden. In addition to this, it is also very interesting to understand the friendship, love, and hate between plants.
1. Chives and Roses
Chives and roses are planted together to prevent the common scab disease of roses, as well as effectively repel cockroaches and prevent mildew.
Because chives belong to the Liliaceae family and are related to onions, they have a strong odor, and their sap has a bactericidal effect.
2. Grapes and violets
The research found that the grapes and violets were planted together, and the resulting grapes had a stronger aroma.
This is due to pollination, and the flowering period of the two is the same or similar, which can promote the sweet smell of violets mixed with the aroma of grapes.
3. Leeks and kale, potatoes
Leeks can produce a strong smell, can deworm and sterilize, and are friends of many crops. For example, interplanting with cabbage can reduce the root rot of cabbage; interplanting with potatoes, the late blight of potatoes will be greatly reduced, and the yield will increase.
4. Garlic and cabbage
The allicin released from garlic can sterilize and drive away pests, so it is suitable for interplanting with crops such as cabbage.
5. Onions and wheat, peas
The secretion of onion has a strong bactericidal effect, which can eliminate and kill the bacteria of wheat smut and pea black spot.
6. Aloe vera and crops
The secretions of aloe vera can promote the germination of wheat, tomato, potato, and other plant seeds and even promote the growth and development of these plants, thereby increasing the yield.
Moreover, there are three types of mixed planting methods: mixed planting of the same hole type; mixed planting of the same vegetable border type; and mixed planting of the same vegetable field type.
The purpose of mixed planting is generally to prevent diseases and pests and to promote the mutual growth of vegetables.
Plant companion table:
Name | Friends | Enemies |
Asparagus | tomatoes, cilantro, nasturtium, basil | onion, garlic, potato |
Dwarf beans | Potatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, carrots, celery, beets, chard, cauliflower, kale, turnips, eggplants, parsnips, lettuce, sunflowers, other beans, savory, marigold, rosemary | Allium, kohlrabi, fennel, basil |
Vine Beans | Corn, turnip, cauliflower, cucumber, carrot, chard, eggplant, lettuce, other beans, potatoes, strawberries, savory, marigold, rosemary | Allium family, beets, kohlrabi, sunflower, kale, basil, fennel |
Pea | Carrot, turnip, daikon, cucumber, corn, celery, endive, other beans, eggplant, parsley, spinach, strawberry, green pepper,savory, marigold, petunia, rosemary | Alliums, Potatoes |
Spinach | Strawberry, Broad Bean, Celery, Eggplant, Cauliflower | |
Beet | Cruciferous, lettuce, allium | Mustard greens, broccoli beans |
Cruciferous | turnip, celery, beet, allium, spinach, chard, dwarf, Beans, carrots, celery, cucumbers, lettuce, aromatic herbs, chamomile, nasturtium, dill, peppermint, marigold | Strawberries, cranberries, tomatoes |
Turnip | Lettuce, beans, beets, carrots, melons, spinach, parsnips, chervil, lettuce, squash,nasturtium | Hyssop |
Carrot | Onions, leeks, wormwood, peas, lettuce, tomatoes, beans, kale, lettuce, turnips, radishes, squash, rosemary, sage | Celery, parsnips, dill |
Coriander | asparagus, tomatoes, peppers | Dill |
Celery | allium, cruciferous, tomatoes, dwarf beans, nasturtium | Carrots, parsnips, cilantro, dill |
Lettuce | Carrots, turnips, strawberries, cucumbers, alliums, parsnips, tomatoes, lentils, sunflowers | |
Allium family | Beets, lettuce, cruciferous, celery, cucumbers, parsnips, peppers, green peppers, spinach, melons, tomatoes, strawberries, carrots Summer savory, chamomile, dill |
Beans, Asparagus, Sage |
Corn | Beans, potatoes, melons, beets, kale, cilantro, turnips, Geranium, Dill, Amaranth, Geranium | tomato |
Cucumber | Corn, sunflower, turnip, cruciferous, eggplant, lettuce, allium, tomatoes, beets, carrots, peppers, dill, nasturtium, rosemary, savory, borage, chamomile | Potatoes, aromatic herbs |
Pumpkin | Corn, allium, turnip, pepper, marigold, nasturtium | Potato |
Eggplant | Beans, green peppers, peppers, potatoes, spinach, horseradish, marigold, catnip | fennel |
Tomato | Asparagus, garlic, allium, asparagus, carrots, vegetables, celery, cucumbers, lettuce, dwarf beans,peppers, green peppers, horseradish, petunias, marigolds, nasturtium, basil, mint | Potatoes, crucifers, corn,trailing beans, fennel, dill |
Bell peppers/chili peppers | Allium family, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, okra, chard, squash, vegetables, horseradish, basil, rosemary, marigold, carrots, onions | Fennel, Kohlrabi |
Potato | Beans, corn, cruciferous veggies, horseradish, carrots, onions,celery, marigold, coriander, cabbage | Melons, tomatoes, sunflowers, kohlrabi, parsnips, fennel, |
Strawberry | Dwarf beans, lettuce, allium, turnip, spinach, borage, nasturtium, sage | kale, potatoes |
Broccoli | Carrots, onions, rosemary, calendula, early nasturtium, thyme and various varieties of mint. Planting marigolds near broccoli can help repel cabbage moths, and early nasturtium can repel aphids. |
strawberries, tomatoes |
Cabbage | Tomatoes, Celery, Catnip, Onions | |
Onion | Cabbage, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Kale | beans, peas |
Brussels sprouts | Garlic, Nasturtium, Basil | |
Cauliflower | Beans, onions, celery, broccoli, turnips, Brussels sprouts, spinach, cucumbers, corn, radishes |