Companions in the Garden for Healthy & Happy Eating
Why do our plants need companions? Well, first what is a companion plant, and how do we know who likes to be with who, and is it really that important?
All good questions! First, is it important? Well, if you never planted companion plants your plants would still grow and still probably be healthy and somewhat happy, but for your plants to reach their true potential a companion will make all the difference!
What exactly do companion plants do for each other?
Companion plants help each other and our garden to be healthy. From the soil to the final fruit or vegetable we eat, companions assist, from root to leaf.
Plant Health
Plants who grow as companions beside each other share the same soil. Working together allows one to draw what it needs without depriving the other. As well, when one plant pulls up nutrients this changes the biochemistry of the soil which can help the plant growing beside it.
Natural Support
Planting tall and strong plants next to plants which grow low or trailing. Each will rely on the other for support and soil protection.
Prevent Weeds
When you mix tall and upright with low and sprawling you crate a thick cover on the ground with less space for weeds to grow.
Optimize Soil
All plant roots are important, and each one helps in different ways. Plants with large tap roots such as carrots and radish pull nutrients from soil depths helping plants with shallow root systems. Plants such as beans and peas pull nitrogen in allowing all plants who need it to benefit.
Biological Pest Control
When your plants are working together, some will attract pest insects diverting them from your vegetables, while some attract beneficial and much needed pollinators which benefits all plants.
Some popular companion plants.
Repels carrot flies and assists to repel cabbage moth.
Attracts caterpillars away from cabbage, broccoli, and kale as well as black flies from fava beans.
Deters aphids, ants, and flea beetles. Keep your mint in containers as it loves to spread!
Plant with tomatoes as it repels thrips, moths, armyworms and hornworms. Basil attracts bees who are an amazing pollinator benefiting all your plants and some say basil will enhance the flavour of tomatoes as well!
Attracts ladybugs, a very beneficial insect who will eat aphids and spider mites.
The very best example of Companion Planting.
The Three Sisters Garden
Indigenous people have taught us how to plant a three sisters garden. The Three Sisters are commonly, corn, beans, and squash. The corn grows tall and strong, giving the beans a sturdy place to grow up onto. The beans also pull nitrogen in nourishing her two other sisters. The squash grows full and leafy covering the soil, providing shade for the earth helping to keep the moisture in the soil while her spiky leaves help keep small animals away as they do not like to step on the spikes of the squash plant.
To plant your own Three Sisters Garden
Plant in a mound of soil, approximately 4 inches high, and 48 inches wide, with a well in the center. Corn is planted first, then beans when your corn is about 4-5 inches tall and finally plant your squash after the beans have emerged. You can plant multiple mounds about 3-4 feet apart.
