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The Art of Companion Planting: Enhancing Your Garden with Natural Allies

Discover the benefits of companion planting in your garden through biodiversity, natural pest control, and symbiotic relationships. Learn about suitable plant pairings, beneficial insects, and physical interactions for a thriving garden.

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The Art of Companion Planting: Enhancing Your Garden with Natural Allies

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  1. Companion Planting Sabine Harvey sharvey1@umd.edu

  2. College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

  3. What is Companion Planting? • The establishment of two or more plant species in close proximity so that some cultural benefit is derived

  4. History • Pliny the Elder, 23-79 AD • Three Sisters • Sensitive crystallization test? Biodynamics.

  5. Be Aware: Allelopathy • Greek: Allelon = “of each other”, pathy = “to suffer” • Broccoli and cabbage • Marigolds • Crabgrass • Sunflowers • Black Walnut

  6. Various Mechanisms • Biodiversity/beneficial insects • Pest control (biochemical, trap crops) • Symbiotic relationship • Increased crop diversity • Physical interaction (shade, fast-slow growing)

  7. Beneficial Insects • Any plant in the aster, mint or carrot family • Flowers during entire season

  8. Good Guys: Predators

  9. Good Guys: Parasitoids

  10. Pest Control, Maybe • Usually heavily scented herbs • Different color • Pest repellent or trap crop

  11. Nasturtiums • Deter pests from beans, cabbages and squash family • But in some trials they attracted pests • AND they grow better in poor soil

  12. Marigolds • Tagetes patula – French marigold • Controls root-knot nematodes BUT • Can also be allelopathic: beans, cabbages

  13. Physical Interactions • Three sisters: perfect example

  14. How to Start? • Pick your favorite veggies • Do you have the space? • Avoid planting together: plants of same family (except cabbages) plants that use the same nutrients plants with similar root zones

  15. Beans and Peas • Potatoes • Corn, squash, cucumber • Summer savory, dill • Pole beans create shade for lettuce • Not with onion family or marigolds

  16. Cabbage Family • Potatoes • Any strong smelling plant • Use space between plants • Not with marigolds

  17. Carrots • Grows well with almost anything • Onion family • Keep away from dill, parsnips

  18. Lettuce • Plant below/behind tall crops in summer • Onions and roots crops • Anything • Sensitive to decaying rye

  19. Onion Family • Good with anything, except legume family • Don’t forget garlic!

  20. Potatoes • Beans • Plant with fast growing spring veggies • Do not plant with tomatoes, raspberries, squash family

  21. Squash Family • Beans and corn • Radishes! • Nasturiums?

  22. Tomatoes • Onion/garlic or strong smelling herbs • Asparagus? • Basil! • Very sensitive to black walnut • Not near fennel, potatoes or corn

  23. Think Twice! • Amaranth • Comfrey: Symphytum officinale, Russian comfrey - Symphytum x uplandicum • Flax

  24. Tansy

  25. Happy Gardening!

  26. Sources • Companion Planting, Susan Mclure, Rodale Press. • Great Garden Companions, Sally Jean Cunningham, Rodale Press • Companion Planting: Basic Concepts and Resources, ATTRA Publication

  27. Resources Grow It! Eat It! http://www.extension.umd.edu/growit We have all types of practical food gardening tips and information. Check out our popular blog! Home and Garden Information Center http://www.extension.umd.edu/hgic Here you will find factsheets, photos, and videos. You can also subscribe to the free monthly e-newsletter. We answer gardening questions 24/7…just click “Ask Maryland’s Garden Experts” Maryland Master Gardener Program http://www.extension.umd.edu/mg Consider becoming a trained MG volunteer!

  28. This program was brought to you by the Maryland Master Gardener Program Kent County University of Maryland Extension

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