Getting Started: Companion Planting

Companion planting is a time-tested gardening technique that involves strategically placing plants together to maximize their benefits and enhance overall garden health. By practicing companion planting in conjunction with permaculture, biointensive, and regenerative techniques, we can create a harmonious and thriving garden ecosystem. In this blog post, we will explore the principles and benefits of companion planting and how it can be integrated into your garden planning.

1. Understanding Companion Planting: Companion planting involves pairing plants that have mutually beneficial relationships. Some plants repel pests, while others attract beneficial insects or fix nutrients in the soil. By selecting compatible plant combinations, we can naturally enhance plant health, deter pests, improve soil fertility, and promote overall garden resilience.
2. Pest Control and Insectary Plants: Utilize companion planting to naturally control pests without resorting to harmful chemicals. For example, planting marigolds alongside vegetables like tomatoes or peppers can help repel nematodes and aphids. Nasturtiums are known for attracting aphids away from other plants, acting as sacrificial hosts. Additionally, including insectary plants like dill, fennel, or yarrow in your garden attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings that prey on pests.
3. Nutrient Cycling and Nitrogen Fixation: Certain plant combinations can enhance soil fertility through nutrient cycling and nitrogen fixation. Leguminous plants like beans and peas have a unique ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, benefiting neighboring plants. Planting nitrogen-fixing legumes alongside heavy feeders like corn or cabbage helps provide a natural source of nitrogen for their growth. This reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and promotes a sustainable nutrient cycle.
4. Shade and Wind Protection: Companion planting can provide shade and wind protection for delicate or sensitive plants. Tall plants like sunflowers or corn can act as natural windbreaks, shielding smaller plants from strong winds. Planting leafy greens or lettuce in the shade of taller plants helps protect them from excessive heat and sun, preventing bolting and extending their growing season.
5. Succession Planting and Crop Rotation: Companion planting can also aid in succession planting and crop rotation strategies. Succession planting involves sowing new crops as others are harvested, maximizing the use of space and extending the harvest season. By interplanting fast-growing crops with slower-growing ones, you can make efficient use of your garden beds. Additionally, rotating crops annually helps prevent pest and disease buildup and improves overall soil health.
6. Plant Combinations and Diversity: Embrace plant diversity and experiment with different companion plant combinations in your garden. Some classic examples include the "Three Sisters" trio of corn, beans, and squash, where each plant benefits the others in terms of support, nitrogen fixation, and weed suppression. Other combinations like basil and tomatoes, or carrots and onions, have been observed to enhance each other's flavor and deter pests.
   I really like this simple Companion Chart from Urban Farmer!

Conclusion: Practicing companion planting in your garden offers a multitude of benefits, from natural pest control and nutrient cycling to improved soil health and biodiversity. By integrating companion planting techniques with permaculture, bio-intensive, and regenerative practices, we can create thriving and sustainable gardens. Take the time to research and plan your companion plantings based on the specific needs of your garden and the beneficial relationships between plants. Through this holistic approach, we can cultivate resilient ecosystems that foster healthy plant growth and contribute to the overall health and balance of our environment.