Companion Planting: The Best Way To Maximize Garden Space In A Small Garden

Companion planting is a gardening practice that involves growing different plant species together in close proximity to provide mutual benefits and maximize garden space. Companion planting has been in practice for centuries. But the scientific understanding of companion planting is still evolving. Scientists are finding that several underlying principles contribute to the effectiveness of companion planting.

Complementing Growth Patterns Maximize Garden Space

Companion plants often have complementary growth patterns that allow them to coexist without competing for resources (such as nutrients, water, and space). For example:

• Tall plants may provide shade or support for shorter plants, while ground cover crops can suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil.
• Root vegetables grow below the ground, while other types of vegetables grow above it.
• Some Plants have shallow root systems, some are deep.
• Vegetables such as radishes and carrots complete their growth cycle in a few weeks, while others take months to reach maturity.
• Planting plants with opposing growth habits beside each other will maximize space in a small garden.

Nutrient Requirements

Plants are picky eaters…just like kids! Some kids only eat the marshmallows out of the cereal box, some only eat the raisins, some mix two different kinds of cereal together, and some eat the bran flakes, but put the raisins back in the box! Plants have very similar eating habits!

• Tomatoes take up a lot of Nitrogen from the soil.
• Green beans add nitrogen to the soil.
• Broccoli and peppers feed heavily on calcium.
• Potatoes, carrots, and corn feed heavily on phosphorous.
• Which nutrients plants take most of from the soil depends on the nutritional needs and growth habit of each particular type of plant.
• All plants require several nutrients for healthy growth and development. Specific nutrient amounts needed vary by plant species.

Soil Health

Additionally, certain plants can fix nitrogen from the air or accumulate specific nutrients, benefiting neighboring plants by improving soil fertility. Green beans and peas, for example, add nitrogen to the soil. The deep root systems of radishes and sunflowers loosen compacted soil, which helps nutrients rise to the surface. Mustard plants can suppress soil-borne pests and diseases.

Pest Management

Companion planting can help deter pests by masking the scent of host plants, repelling pests with their aroma or texture, or attracting beneficial insects that prey on pests. For example,

• Tomato hornworms destroy the foliage and fruits of tomato plants. Planting aromatic herbs like basil or marigolds alongside vegetables can help repel pests such as aphids and tomato hornworms.
• Ants are allies and have symbiotic relationships with aphids and scale bugs, helping transport them onto plants. The ants then feed off of the honeydew (or sap) which the aphids and scale bugs extract from the plant. The elimination of ants helps to control the population of aphids and scale bugs. Catnip repels mosquitos, flies, and ants.
• Cutworms will cut a plant to the ground in no time at all! Marigolds deter cutworms. Inter-planting flowering herbs such as cilantro, dill, and parsley between other vegetables can attract predatory wasps and other insects that feed on cutworms.

Attracting Pollinators

Flowering companion plants attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are essential for the reproduction of many crops. By providing a variety of flowering plants, gardeners can encourage pollinator activity, which in turn, improves fruit set and yield in nearby crops.

Disease Suppression

Just like a well – balanced diet helps boost a kids’ immune system, well balanced soil helps build a healthy immune system for plants. When the plants are healthy and being fed well, they will produce a larger, more nutritious crop. Some companion plants release compounds which inhibit the growth of pathogens or pests in the soil, a phenomenon known as allelopathy. Additionally, planting a diverse range of species can disrupt the buildup of pest and disease populations by creating a less favorable environment for them to live and breed in.

Essential Nutrients

The healthy growth and development of plants is dependent on several nutrients. These essential nutrients include:

• Nitrogen (N): Essential for overall plant growth, green foliage development, and protein synthesis.
• Phosphorus (P): Important for root development, flowering, and fruiting, as well as energy transfer within the plant.
• Potassium (K): Necessary for overall plant vigor, flower and fruit development, and disease resistance.
• Calcium (Ca): Important for cell wall structure and strength, which affects plant growth and resistance to diseases.
• Magnesium (Mg): Essential for chlorophyll production, photosynthesis, and enzyme activation.
• Sulfur (S): Necessary for amino acid synthesis, protein formation, and overall plant health.
• Micronutrients: Including iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), and molybdenum (Mo). These micronutrients are crucial for various metabolic processes and enzyme activities. Required amounts of these micronutrients are smaller than the other essential nutrients.

Understanding the Benefits of Companion Planting

Companion planting is more than just a way to make your garden look pretty—it’s a smart and efficient way to create a harmonious ecosystem in your garden. By carefully selecting plants that complement each other, you can enjoy a range of benefits:

• Pest Control: Certain plants naturally repel pests, while others attract beneficial insects that prey on garden pests. By interplanting these plants, you can create a natural pest control system that reduces the need for harmful pesticides.
• Maximizing Garden Space: Companion planting allows you to maximize your garden space by growing plants that have different growth habits. For example, you can grow tall plants like corn or sunflowers alongside low-growing plants like lettuce or radishes.
• Improving Soil Health: Different plants have varying nutrient requirements. By planting plants with different nutrient needs together, you can prevent nutrient depletion and improve overall soil health.
• Enhancing Pollination: Some plants rely on pollinators to produce fruits or vegetables. By planting flowers or herbs that attract pollinators near these plants, you can increase pollination rates and improve yields.

Choosing the Right Companion Plants Will Help Maximize Garden Space

When it comes to companion planting, not all plants get along. Some plant combinations have conflicting nutrient requirements, while others may release substances that inhibit the growth of neighboring plants. Here are some popular vegetable companion plant combinations:

• Tomatoes and Basil: Basil repels pests that commonly attack tomatoes, while tomatoes provide shade for basil.
• Cucumbers and Radishes: Radishes repel cucumber beetles, which are a common pest for cucumbers. Many radish varieties are ready for harvest in 20 to 30 days. Cucumber plants are much slower growing.
• Carrots and Onions: Onions deter carrot flies, while carrots help break up the soil for onions to grow more easily.
• Lettuce and Tall Flowers: Lettuce benefits from the shade provided by tall flowers like sunflowers or hollyhocks.
• Beans and Corn: Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits corn. In return, corn provides support for climbing beans.

While these are just a few examples, the world of companion planting is vast, and there are many other plant combinations that work well together. Experimenting with different combinations will allow you to discover what works best for your garden and maximize your garden space.

To download the Sustainably Sown Companion Planting Chart, click here.

Avoiding Incompatible Companion Plants Will Maximize Garden Space

Some plants thrive when planted together. Other plant combinations are antagonistic and inhibit the growth of neighboring plants or attract pests. Antagonistic plant combinations include:

• Tomatoes and Cabbage: Tomatoes and cabbage are not good companions. Tomatoes can stunt the growth of cabbage, and cabbage attracts pests that can harm tomatoes.
• Beans and Onions: Beans and onions have different soil pH requirements, which can affect their growth when planted together.
• Garlic and Peas: Garlic can inhibit the growth of peas, so it’s best to keep them separate.
• Potatoes and Tomatoes: Both potatoes and tomatoes are susceptible to late blight, so planting them together increases the risk of disease.

By avoiding these incompatible plant combinations, you can prevent potential problems and ensure the health and vitality of your garden. If you would like help figuring out what to plant where, there are garden planning apps available for download which can help you with that.

“Planter: Garden Planner” is a top-rated garden planning app. It is available for download on all of your devices. Click here to preview the Apple Version. To view a trailer or download on the Google Play Store, click here.

It’s features, as listed:

• Companion and combative plant information

• Planting calendar for when to start seeds or transplant

• Square foot gardening layout grid for easy spacing

• Information on 80+ fruits and vegetables and hundreds of varieties

• Ability to add custom plants if your favorite isn’t included yet

Planter makes gardening easier for both beginners and long-time gardeners!

To Sum It All Up

Companion planting is a valuable technique that can take your fruit and vegetable garden to the next level. By carefully selecting companion plants, you can naturally control pests, promote healthy plant growth, and maximize garden space in a small garden. Remember to consider the differing nutrient requirements of each plant and choose combinations that complement each other. Happy gardening!