Adapted from West Coast Seeds e-newsletter.
Plants need friends just like we do.
Here are some examples of ideal companion combinations.
Asparagus & Cilantro
Asparagus repels nematodes that attack tomatoes, and tomatoes repel asparagus beetles.
Plant asparagus with basil, dill, cilantro, marigolds, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, sage, and thyme.
Pole Beans & Carrots
All beans fix nitrogen in the soil. Avoid planting near chives, garlic, leeks, and onions. Pole beans and beets stunt each other’s growth.
Plant pole beans with Brassicas, carrots, celery, chard, corn, cucumber, eggplant, peas, potatoes, radish, and strawberries.
Beets & Garlic
Beet greens and scraps are very good for the compost, returning captured manganese and iron to the soil via the composting process.
Plant beets with bush beans, Brassicas, corn, garlic, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, and mint. Add cut mint leaves as a mulch for beets.
The Benefits.
- MINIMIZED RISK: Increase odds of higher yields by limiting the spread and avoiding a monoculture instead of focusing on polyculture or mimicking the best natural growth patterns and diversity.
- CROP PROTECTION: Companion Planting can offer a more delicate plant shelter from weather such as wind or sun by growing beside another plant which can shield and protect itself while having a natural defense against the harsher conditions.
- TRAP CROPPING: Companion planting is also the ultimate organic pest management. You may keep away unwanted pests that may be attracted to one crop but repelled by the other. This is referred to as trap cropping and will assist in protecting the otherwise attractive prey.
- POSITIVE HOSTING: By planting in proximity to plants which produce a surplus of nectar and pollen, you can increase the population of beneficial insects that will manage your harmful pest population.
Companion Planting with Umbellifers.
Cilantro and dill are both good examples of umbelliferous plants. When these plants bloom, the flower structure is in a shape called an umbel — scores of tiny flowers arranged on a more or less flat or umbrella-shaped plane.
Other umbelliform plants include carrot, Ammi, parsley, parsnip, celery, and fennel. Using these plants for this purpose is known as companion planting with umbellifers. Learn more here.
For more on companion planting, click here.
