Companion Planting.
Due to the compounds plants produce in response to stress, competition or to attract pollinators and seed dispersers certain plants grow well with each other. Think of it like they enjoy each others company and can even aid each others growth by deterring pests, changing the microclimate, increasing nutrient absorption and more. These are known as companion plants.
Gardeners can use these to improve the yields and health of plants.
The opposite also occurs with plants that hate growing near each other. These include plants which have an allelopathic effect. (Emit a chemical through roots or leaves which prevents other plants growing near by, a natural evolution for competition.) These pairings should be avoided to prevent poor growth.
A few example are below however this list is far from exhaustive.
Gardeners can use these to improve the yields and health of plants.
The opposite also occurs with plants that hate growing near each other. These include plants which have an allelopathic effect. (Emit a chemical through roots or leaves which prevents other plants growing near by, a natural evolution for competition.) These pairings should be avoided to prevent poor growth.
A few example are below however this list is far from exhaustive.
Companions:
Apples & nasturtiums Broccoli/cabbage & potato or onions Broccoli & Dill (the scent deters pests) Carrots & Leeks or Spring onions. (Deters root fly) Chives, plant near fruit bushes to deter pests. Cucumbers & Sunflowers Marjoram, plant near garden crops for improved yield Peas are happy with brassicas and salad crops. Tagetes (marigolds) or Basil & Tomatoes. Strawberries are happy with Borage. Sollya & Campsis (an accidental discovery made ourselves) |
Pairings to avoid:
Beans & onions Brassicas & tomatoes Brassicas & Strawberries Carrots & dill Cucumbers & aromatic herbs Kohl rabi & Tomatoes Onions & peas/beans Peppermint & Chestnut Sunflowers & Potatoes |
Certain plants have a strong allelopathic effect and are difficult to pair with, only certain plants are evolved to grow close to these.
These include:
Juglans nigra, The black walnut.
Syringa vulgaris, Lilac (typically plants will be fine outside the shadow of the canopy, underplanting can be achieved with spring bulbs.
Rhododendron (especially the 'wild' ponticum but all to a degree)
Elderberry
Forsythia.
This is not an exhaustive list by any means and dont feel these should be avoided but thought to their companions should be made before planting.
These include:
Juglans nigra, The black walnut.
Syringa vulgaris, Lilac (typically plants will be fine outside the shadow of the canopy, underplanting can be achieved with spring bulbs.
Rhododendron (especially the 'wild' ponticum but all to a degree)
Elderberry
Forsythia.
This is not an exhaustive list by any means and dont feel these should be avoided but thought to their companions should be made before planting.