Here’s how to get started.
But this logic doesnt apply solely in the kitchen.
And yes, you’re able to do it at home.
All three plants help each other grow, and in turn create a more bountiful harvest.
The benefits of companion planting
Problem-solving is the ethos of companion planting.
Others can specifically ward off various insect adversaries.
UC Master Gardener in San Mateo/San Francisco Counties
Companion plants also just confuse the bugs because there are more choices, says OConnor.
Healthier,happiervegetables and herbs.
Ive havent had any more hornworms, but my tomatoes are just great, she says.
But in general, think about pairings that complement one another.
Take strawberries and spinach.
You also want to avoid using plants that tend to take over wherever theyre planted.
The easiest way to think of what might go well together is to consider whattastesgood together, says OConnor.
Oneto thinks about thepest most likely to disturb the plantin question, and plants something to directly counter it.
The best starter companion plant combinations
1.
UC Master Gardener in San Mateo/San Francisco Counties
Nitrogen helps plants grow so you get these big leafy plants, she explains.
Plant them with the classic Three Sisters pairing of squash and cornor any other plant that needs shade.
However, these plants tend to be threatened by sucking insects like thrips, says Oneto.
Theyre a pretty large order of insects that have an appetite for just about everything, he says.
To contend with these pests, plant dill or parsley.
They also attract various beneficial insects, like ladybugs, which snack on thrips and other pests.
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Thankfully, fragrant herbs like rosemary and sage can deter those pests with their strong scent.
Peppers or eggplants + marigolds
Cousins peppers and eggplants deal with the same pests: worms and lygus bugs.
To help them thrive, OConnor and Oneto recommend marigold.
(Basil and onions can support these plants, too.)
The basils aroma repels insects that wreak havoc on tomato crops such as thrips and tomato hornworms.
This pairing is even thought to improve the flavor of both.
This cruciferous vegetable family also has issues with beetles and diamondback moths.
Aromatic herbs such as oregano, rosemary, and thyme ward off those pets with their fragrance.
Cabbage moths really dont like nasturtiums, which are also just really big and beautiful, adds OConnor.
Thyme and basil help with this.
Beyond pest control, leafy greens like spinach give strawberries shade.
OConnor also likes pairing the fruit with borage, a small star-shaped flower, which attracts helpful pollinators.
These flowers also repel root-knot nematodes, aphids, and various beetles and fliescommon pests that afflict squashes.
Helpful flowers attract pest-eating insects, and nitrogen-fixers like peas and beans make the soil especially nourishing.
3 tips for home gardeners to start companion planting
1.
Start small
You dont need to have a sprawling garden plot to make companion planting work.
You have to experiment and adapt, and it involves a learning curve, she says.
Start with high quality soil or potting mix, and add compost.
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