An Organic Way to Control Pests and Build Better Soil
Every gardener will tell you that marigolds deter pests. They keep
beetles away from your beans and squash bugs away from your zucchini.
Tomatoes find marigolds very companionable because they help prevent
root rot.
Marigolds, onions, garlic and mint all act as deterrents
to pests that can harm your vegetables. But simply scattering these
common pest controllers around your garden may benefit some plants, but
harm others.
White garlic and onions work well with tomatoes,
peppers and squash, but they will stunt the growth of your beans and
peas. While marigolds deter many a pest, the dreaded red spider mite is
attracted to them. Spider mites like arid climates and tomato plants. If
spider mites give you grief, plant coriander with your tomatoes
instead.
Dill will keep your cabbages healthy, but carrots will
fail to thrive in its presence. Mint works well in your garden, but can
be invasive, resulting in its becoming something of a nutrient hog.
Companion planting is an important part of your defense against pests
in the garden. Pest control, though, is only one of the benefits of this
centuries old practice.
Onions and beans may not play well
together, but cucumbers, corn and eggplant can all be planted with
beans. These vegetables all like the same soil and climate conditions,
but don't compete for nutrients. Plant a little marigold to keep away
the bad bugs and you'll have a bountiful bed.
The aforementioned
vegetables are also seasonally companionable. That doesn't necessarily
mean everything planted together needs to come to fruition at the same
time.
Planting radishes or lettuces along side slower growing
melons or spaghetti squash makes for efficient use of space. When the
quicker growing radishes and lettuces are ready for harvest, the melons
and squash will be in need of more room. This practice also helps keep
your soil healthy. Akin to crop rotation and allowing fields to lie
fallow, varying harvesting times helps prevent your soil from being
overworked.
The combination of pest control, of shared
conditions, and efficient use of land make companion planting a favored
practice of the organic gardener. If done properly, companion planting
can greatly reduce the need for pesticides, increase vegetable yields
and keep your soil healthy through rotational plantings and harvests.
Done right, a companionable garden will enjoy more beneficial bugs and
suffer from fewer pests. The growing season will be extended and your
plants will be healthier. This results in more plentiful bounty as well
as healthier soil.
Utilizing companion planting along with
natural fertilizers and mulch, and using only natural pest controls when
faced with an infestation, results in a healthy garden. As more
gardeners return to organic methods of growing food and ornamentals,
fewer chemicals from synthetic fertilizers and pesticides leach into the
earth. This makes for a healthier planet.
