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Companion Planting

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This is a great concept that is generally overlooked, as I had for many years.

You can not poison your garden enough to get rid of pests!  But you can get help to protect your crops.  My best example of this was my attempts to grow watermelons, cantaloupes, and honeydews.  I had tried spraying, coverings and even organic insect treatments.

Then... I finally tried companion planting.  It was unbelievable how simple and effortless it was!  Because... it worked great!  An entire crop of watermelons, and cantaloupes, and honeydews grew large crops without any effort.  Out of the entire season I only found three cucumber beetles in the entire melon patch that entire season.  There was evidence of pests, but they had been all over the companion plants.  They apparently preferred the companion plants more than the melon vines.  I would never have thought that the insects would have preferred what I considered the weeds over the melon vines.

So, believe it or not, there are things that insects like better than your watermelons!

 

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Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants together to enhance their growth, health, and productivity. By strategically pairing vegetables, herbs, and flowers, gardeners can create a balanced and thriving ecosystem. Here are some key principles and examples of effective companion planting:



Benefits of Companion Planting
Pest control: Some plants repel or attract beneficial insects, reducing pest populations.
Soil health: Legumes fix nitrogen, while others improve soil structure or suppress weeds.
Shade and support: Taller plants provide shade and support for smaller ones.
Space efficiency: Interplanting smaller crops with larger ones maximizes garden space.


 Companion Planting Chart
Based on the provided search results, here’s a condensed chart highlighting some beneficial pairings:


Vegetable Companion Plants

Asparagus..... Calendula, Petunias, Tomatoes
Beans.....   Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Kale, Lettuce, Radishes, Spinach, Tomatoes
Beets.....  Brassicas, Bush beans, Garlic, Lettuce, Onion family
Carrots.....   Chives, Leeks, Onions, Peas, Radishes, Rosemary, Sage
Cabbage.....   Sage, Dill, Beet, Peppermint, Rosemary, Corn, Spinach, Sunflower, Nasturtium
Corn.....   Beans, Marigold, Sunflower, Cucumber, Nasturtium, Squash
Cucumber.....   Beans, Dill, Marigolds, Radish, Chives, Zucchini, Peas
Kale.....   Sage, Dill, Beet, Peppermint, Rosemary, Corn, Spinach, Sunflower, Nasturtium
Lettuce.....   Carrot, Garlic, Peas, Radish, Strawberry, Onion, Chive
Onions.....   Beet, Carrot, Lettuce, Tomato, Watermelon, Eggplant
Peas.....   Apple, Carrot, Radish, Raspberry, Turnip
Radish.....   Chervil, Lettuce, Nasturtium, Peas
Spinach.....   Strawberry
Squash.....   Beans, Nasturtium, Mint, Radish, Dill, Basil, Sunflower
Tomatoes.....   Basil, Marigold, Nasturtium, Carrot, Garlic, Chive



Additional Tips

 
Group plants by growth habits:
Fast-growing plants like beans and radishes with slower-growing ones like carrots and lettuce.
Consider plant heights:
Taller plants like sunflowers and corn with shorter ones like lettuce and herbs.
Experiment and observe:
Try new pairings and monitor their effects on your plants.
Keep in mind:
Some plants may not benefit from each other, so research specific combinations before planting.

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