How Does Companion Planting Work?

Part 2 of 2

Last week we discussed what companion planting is, how it works, and gave a few examples. This week we will finish off by giving a few more examples for you to try out in your yard or garden this year.

If you have never tried doing this, do, it really does work!

Here are a few more companion planting examples:

Potatoes and sweet alyssum: Sweet alyssum has tiny flowers that attract delicate beneficial insects, such as lady bugs, and predatory wasps. Plant sweet alyssum alongside bushy crops like potatoes, or let it spread to form a ground cover under plants like broccoli. What is also nice, is that sweet alyssum is so fragrant that it gives a nice scent to your garden all summer long.

Radishes and spinach: Radishes lure leafminers away from spinach, and since the damage the leafminers do to radish leaves doesn't prevent the radishes from growing nicely underground, it is a nice compromise.

Lettuce and tall flowers: Tall flowers such as Nicotiana (flowering tobacco) and Cleome (spider flower) give lettuce light shade, giving it a cooler environment, which is what lettuce grows best in.

Corn and beans: Beans attract beneficial insects that prey on corn pests such as leafhoppers, fall armyworms and leaf beetles. Plus, bean vines climb up the corn stalks, which means you don't have to stake them, the corn provides a natural trellis for them.

Cauliflower and dwarf zinnias: The nectar from dwarf zinnia flowers attracts ladybugs and other predators that help protect cauliflower; and since cauliflower is already a tough crop to grow, any help is beneficial!

Collards and catnip: Studies have found that planting catnip with collards reduces flea-beetle damage on the collards.

Marigolds: Plant these all through your garden. They discourage Mexican bean beetles, nematodes, and other insects. Called the "workhorse" of companion plants for all the benefits they bring to the garden.

For more Gardening Tips and Gardening Advice visit our main gardening website at Weekend Gardener Monthly Web Magazine - www.weekendgardener.net

Talk to you next week!