Benefits of Planting Companion Plants

Co-cultivation is a way of planting several different plants in one area. With the right selection of neighbors, this influence can be positive. For such breeding, species are selected depending on their requirements, belonging to the botanical family and susceptibility to diseases and pests. [/ su_quote]

Properties of some plants

The mutual influence of plants growing next to each other has long been known. In addition to preparing the soil and a place for growing them, it is worth remembering the favorable neighborhood of plants, thanks to which they will develop better and produce a crop.

The mutual influence of plants growing nearby

All this is aimed at more economical use of the available area, reducing the consumption of chemicals for plant protection. It also allows you to get higher yields of good quality.

Note! Planting different crops next to each other has its advantages and disadvantages. Some enrich neighboring plants with nutrients, others repel pests, and others are not suitable because they take away nutrients or attract unsuitable pests.

First of all, you should consider what crops have been grown on the site in the past few years. This is very important, because some species cannot be grown in a row for several years.

Consideration should be given to the size of the plants, so taller species should be planted in such a way that they do not restrict light from lower ones.

Another important factor is the interaction of individual species with crop pests. Some plants secrete repellent substances, forming a protective barrier against the attack of potential pests, they can inhibit the growth and germination of seeds, since their roots secrete chemical compounds that block these processes in other plants.

Others (legumes) fix nitrogen in the soil, which reduces the application of fertilizers to the soil of their companions.

Interesting! One of the common garden weeds, dandelion produces ethylene during flowering, which supports the development of flowers and ripening of fruits.

Garlic is a very useful species for various plantings. Its specific aroma and chemicals contained in it repel a large group of pests, such as aphids and spider mites, as well as rodents and snails. They also protect neighboring plants to some extent from the appearance of fungal diseases on them.

Onions and leeks are also used in a similar way, which additionally effectively protects carrots from a dangerous pest – carrot moth.

Onions protect carrots

What can not be planted next to garlic? Beans, peas, parsley, asparagus and sage are not compatible with garlic. Do not plant onions next to peas and beans or asparagus and sage.

Celery protects the cultivation of cabbage plants from the white moth, and mustard reduces the appearance of the black beetle in the cultivation of peas.

Many vegetables also like the company of herbs. The main thing is that their specific aroma and other substances they release limit the development of diseases and repel pests.

When planted together, sage promotes plant growth, resulting in increased yields. It improves the taste of many fruits, vegetables and herbs and helps repel pests.

It is worth noting that the presence of peas and beans saturates the soil with nitrogen and they are always desirable when growing most vegetables. Dill should be grown separately from other garden crops.

It is good to combine plants that produce at different times so that the harvest is consistent.

Vegetables that produce crops at different times

For example, lettuce and radishes have a short growing season, while carrots and beets have a much longer growing season.

 

Joint cultivation of vegetables. Proper selection of plants

What vegetables can be planted next to cucumbers? Good company for them is cruciferous vegetables, which have very similar nutritional, growing, and care requirements. Thus, it is possible to sow and grow cabbage of different varieties next to cucumbers.

Cultivation of cucumbers

Cucumbers need fairly fertile soil. They will grow better, healthier and faster if they are grown in the company of legumes such as beans and peas, which have the ability to fix and absorb nitrogen from the air.

Good neighbors for cucumbers will also be beets, lettuce, celery, spinach, carrots, turnips, radishes. It is definitely worth growing garlic next to cucumbers, which repels pests and reduces the development of fungal diseases.

What vegetables do tomatoes like? Growing tomatoes should be combined with plants that have a positive effect on their growth and sustainability. Most of these plants can be found among vegetables that are commonly grown in vegetable gardens.

Growing onions and garlic next to tomatoes is a natural defense against fungal diseases. Their smell is not liked by plant pests. Other vegetables that tomatoes love are legumes, as well as mustard or phacelia, which are used as green manure. Their presence also influences the better quality and structure of the soil (they supply it with nitrogen).

A good company for a tomato are beets

In addition, the neighborhood of lettuce, carrots, parsley, radishes, celery, green onions, asparagus, spinach, sorrel is useful.

Different varieties of lettuce usually have a short growing season and grow quickly. For this reason, it is preferable to sow them between slow growing vegetables (eg cabbage). Useful salad companions are: onions, garlic, leeks, green beans, peas, various types of cabbage, beets, carrots, radishes, cucumbers, dill, tomatoes, rhubarb.

Lettuce grows quite well with most types of vegetables, with a few exceptions. It is better not to grow parsley and celery nearby (they can negatively affect lettuce crops).

What vegetables to grow with beets? Beets grow better and are more resistant to diseases and pests in the neighborhood of many vegetables, but cruciferous vegetables will be the best choice in the first place.

In addition, along with beets grow well: onions, garlic, radishes, turnips, celery, as well as zucchini, beans (dwarf varieties), peas, cucumber, dill, leeks and lettuce.

The beneficial effect of onions and garlic growing next to beets repel pests and reduce the development of diseases.

Note! Some vegetables negatively influence each other: they compete for nutrients, light, or are attacked by the same pests or diseases. Beets do not grow well in the company of carrots, spinach or potatoes.

Beans and cabbage help each other. A mutually beneficial neighborhood with beans are cruciferous vegetables. In addition, next to the beans, it is also worth planning the cultivation of beets, pumpkins, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, celery, radishes, spinach, corn, dill or potatoes.

Onion vegetables (for example, garlic, onions, leeks) do not like the immediate, close proximity of legumes – beans or peas.

Favorable neighborhood of carrots. Growing bulbous vegetables nearby will reduce the attacks of carrot pests and fungal diseases.

In addition, the neighborhood of peas and beans, tomatoes, radishes, lettuce and spinach will affect the best development and yield of carrots. On the other hand, it is not recommended to grow carrots together with beets, potatoes and cabbage.

At the same time, carrots have a good effect on the cultivation of onions and leeks, as they reduce the appearance of onion moths.

Other plants may also be useful for crop protection.

Rosemary and sage limit the appearance of white cabbage and carrot fly. Marigolds also destroy nematodes and whiteflies.

Useful herbs for planting eggplant are tarragon and thyme. You can freely plant eggplants next to peppers, tomatoes and potatoes.

Peppers can benefit greatly from planting next to geraniums, marigolds, nasturtiums, and petunias.

Pumpkins should not be planted next to root vegetables such as potatoes, onions, or beets, as these vegetables tend to interfere with the shallow roots of other companion plants. They also compete for nutrients in the soil.

In the right company, strawberries grow better and get sick less often. Yields very well next to garlic and onions. In addition to strawberries, you can also plant and sow other vegetables and herbs besides cabbage.

Green onions will help strawberries grow well

Garlic repels aphids and other pests from roses. Calendula repels aphids from beans, whiteflies from tomatoes.

Plants that are compatible with each other create a balanced garden ecosystem for growing healthy fruits and vegetables, maximizing garden efficiency.