![]() Take note of how many hours of light different locations receive. When designing your companion garden, analyze your site’s sun path and weather conditions. The aster, mustard, and carrot plant families are all stars when it comes to attracting beneficial insects. ![]() Flowering herbs attract predatory pollinators which in turn reduces the pest insect population. Plants in the onion family are great for camouflaging the scent of more savory garden plants. The same techniques can be used to deter animal pests. Produce can be decimated by pest insects, but with the proper employment of companion plants, the insect population can be controlled. The decomposing plant material continues to boost the soil by leeching nutrients just as it would in a compost pile. This is often referred to as “ green manure”. There is also the “ chop and drop” mulch method where plants such as comfrey, borage, legumes or clover are cut down and left in place to mulch the area. Zucchini and other squash have broad leaves that shade the soil to prevent water from evaporating and suppress weed growth. Low growing herbs like thyme can be planted between taller plants to keep weeds from growing there. Sprawling vine plants like squash, sweet potatoes, strawberries, or gourds can cover the earth and slow the process of water evaporation. These are known as “ living mulch” or “ cover crops”. Some plants can act as a ground cover to help retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds and prevent soil from being washed away. Plants that prefer alkaline soil may not perform as well when planted together with acid loving crops. These plants do well planted in the same area since they have the same needs. Certain plants like blueberries, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, garlic, sweet peppers, pumpkins, winter squash and tomatoes prefer more acidic soil. There is also soil PH to take into account. They thrive in different soil conditions. So now it is clear why plants like cabbage and strawberries jus don’t go well together. However, this sometimes waterlogged soil can cause root rot on more sensitive plants like berry bushes and spring vegetables. Vegetables in the cabbage family, as well as beans and peas, perform well in clay soil due to its ability to hold water and nutrients. Rocky soil can damage the root crops and waterlogged soil can cause the potatoes to rot and mold. Potatoes prefer loose soil with good drainage. If you were to plant carrots in rocky soil, for example, you would end up with deformed roots that were forced to grow around the obstructions. Some plants grow best in sandy soil – root vegetables, lettuce/greens, the nightshade family, squash and strawberries to name a few. The type of soil present can be a factor to consider as well. You can use a soil test meter or get a test kit to gain a deeper understanding of your soil composition. You must first determine what kind of soil you have before determining how to improve it. Some plants such as beans, chives, collards, marigolds, borage, comfrey, clover, lamb’s quarters, licorice, chamomile, yarrow, sunflower, and primrose help to build healthy soil and fix nutrient deficiencies from plants that are heavy feeders. Healthy soil is key to productive plants. ![]() As a cover crop it can be used for green manure to add nitrogen to the soil. It has a mild cucumber-like flavor and it’s edible flowers attract pollinators. Certain plant families ( learn 11 plant families here) are known for their ability to enhance these aspects for other plants.īorage is a wonderful companion plant but self-seeds profusely. The most important aspects of a plant’s productivity are soil, water, light, nutrients, shelter, pollination and pest/disease resistance. I highly recommended this book for anyone wishing to understand companion planting and permaculture design in a more profound way. The Vegetable Gardener’s Guide to Permaculture has some great charts that explain exactly which “ dynamic accumulators” (plants that draw up and collect soil nutrients from deep within the soil) catch which nutrients (nitrogen, calcium, potassium, etc). There are several benefits certain plants provide that can be advantageous to their neighbors. Intensive gardening with companion plants is a great way to achieve this goal. Permaculture principles teach us to “integrate rather than segregate”. Don’t compete with one another for light, nutrients, etc.Provide for the needs of other plants.Have similar preferences in growing conditions.
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