Perla IrishEvery home garden enthusiast knows that good soil, sunlight and water are essential for growing healthy produce. However, did you know that certain plant combinations can boost the productivity of your garden? Companion planting — also known as intercropping — is placing a variety of crops together that complement one another.
The right vegetable, herb, and flower combinations are key to a flourishing and bountiful garden. Zucchini and summer squash pair well with corn, radishes, dill, beans, and peas. Cornstalks also provide natural scaffolding for squash vines.
Basil makes a great companion to peppers because it helps repel spider mites, flies, mosquitos, and aphids, which feed on plant sap. The fragrant herb may also enhance the pepper’s flavor profile.
Spinach, onions, and tomatoes are also safe to plant near peppers. Another popular combination is lettuce, marigolds, and mint. Mint helps repel slugs that feed on lettuce leaves while marigolds attract aphid-eating ladybugs. Broccoli, carrots, radishes, peas, and beets also grow well with lettuce.
This practice is used by many farmers and gardeners, and for good reason. Companion planting can enhance the growth cycle of plants, provide pollination benefits, and allow more efficient use of your plot. Read on to learn more about this effective gardening strategy.
