What is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is when two or multiple plants are grown close together to help aid each other's growth. There are many benefits to companion planting that will optimize production of fruits and vegetables. Companion plants promote growth by creating a nutritious and fertile soil. Below lists all of the benefits of companion planting as well as common companion plants.
Benefits of Companion Planting
There are numerous benefits to companion planting. Some of these benefits include
Natural Pest Deterrent: many plants, like marigold and garlic, are natural insect repellents and that minimize risk of pest infestations.
Provides Shade: many plants will grow tall and protect smaller plants that prefer environments of bright indirect sunlight. Visit our sunlight exposure guide to narrow down your plants sunlight requirements.
Improves Soil: plants provide nutrients to one another by enriching the soil.
Natural Weed Killers: planting certain plant will minimize weed growth and promote healthy growth of your plants.
Attract Pollinators: certain plants have the ability to attract critical pollinators like bees, butterflies, wasps, and beetles.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You can utilize online tools and resources. Above we’ve listed some of the most common companion plants for each other. Always check on companion plants online before planting to optimize the growth and longevity of your fruits and vegetables.
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Companion plants should be planted 6-12 inches apart from one another. Although if you are planting two large plants close together you may want to spread them out a little farther to prevent overcrowding.
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Always be cautious when planting certain plants near each other. Although companion plants can be very beneficial to the plants health there are enemies that can suck the energy from your plants.