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bestgardening |
Companion Planting
We
have all heard the line that 'roses love garlic', possibly the most famous of
all companion planting associations.
Companion Planting is based on the premise that plants have such likes and
dislikes about their neighbours. Also that particular plants can reduce the
incidence of pests in the garden
Some theories
about companion planting have been established, and others have had less
startling success in scientific trials.
Overall, few cases of beneficial companion planting have been researched well
enough to demonstrate true advantages. The lovely little Tagetes patula,
or French marigold (actually from Mexico), and its cousins Calendula,
have been shown to be invaluable in companion planting.
Using mixed plantings in the garden is likely to be beneficial simply because
they bring greater balance and a diversity of plants and species, that, in
turn, attracts pest predators and avoids the pest-ridden effects of
monoculture.
Monoculture
Monoculture is the planting of rows and rows of the same plants- fields of
lettuce, corn and onions, for instance, paradise for a pest or disease that,
once introduced, can simply move from plant to plant. Monoculture does not
encourage a healthy mixed population of creatures - essential in an organic
garden.
Companion Planting or Simply Mixed Planting? Removing some of the traditional barriers and divisions in the garden will help
to develop and maintain a healthy mixed population of creatures, and thus your
garden's health. Some
pests are attracted to plant flowers and by mixing flowers and vegetables
together you can protect them. Garlic with roses will control greenfly and
savory with peas has not proved to be as effective. Ladybirds and lacewings are
insect predators that can be can be encouraged by providing a range of species.
Poppies, and nastursiums planted between plants are said to minimize aphids;
daisies such as asters to attract flying insects, and most are tough, easy
plants.
Nepeta (catmint) is a great plant for smothering weeds; plant it and lavender
to attract many summer flying insects. If you don't own a cat, however, growing
nepeta may make your garden a magnet for other cats. Espaliered
fruit trees within your vegetable garden and mixing flowers amongst the rows
will help. Or grow your salad vegetables in the ornamental garden, for example,
'lollo rosso' lettuce with their wavy, coloured leaves, spinach, ruby chard,
courgettes and other plants can make a contribution to the border.
Growing vegetables, fruit and ornamentals together requires more effort and
attention to ensure that plants are not swamped (or swamping their neighbours!)
and filling the gaps as you harvest your vegetables. It is not any more work
than a traditional herbaceous border where the work of trimming, deadheading,
cutting back and filling gaps continues throughout the growing season.
Practising
crop rotation, which advocates
rotating crops to reduce a build up of soil borne diseases, is more difficult
when crops are intermingled, but it is still possible to track and rotate
crops, and the benefit in reduced pest levels and avoiding pesticides is
certainly worth it.
The change in gardening also requires a mental shift- from regimented rows and
bare earth to a more mixed look, with flowers and vegetables grown in a more
relaxed manner.
Aesthetics aside, companion planting does seem to work in some cases and not
others. Science has yet to establish many of the "do's and don'ts"
and the planting ideas here are considered by many to be effective, yet other
gardeners try them with little success.
Certainly it is worth trying and experimenting to see the impact of mixed
planting, especially with so many vegetable gardens moving towards the potager
model, and incorporating ornamental plants amongst the cabbages!
Sourcehttp://www.bestgardening.com
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