Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Bad Companions
There are a few reasons why some plants should not be grown alongside others if you are
considering the organic method of growing your vegetables.
I mention particularly organic, because the general idea behind companion planting is to
avoid the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers whenever possible.
Some plants should not be grown together simply because they both attract the same pests
or other predators, others because they make the same demands on the soil, leading to them
both producing a poor harvest. Some plants grown close together may produce a damp en-
vironment that leads to fungal or other infection.
Here are some plants to avoid planting close together if possible, when considering a com-
panion for your veggies.
Beans:
Should not be grown in the same vicinity of garlic, shallot or onions, as they tend to stunt
the growth of the beans.
Beets:
Should not be grown along with pole beans, as they stunt each other's growth.
Cabbage
Isgenerallythoughtnottodowellneartomatoes,mainlybecausethetomatoplantcanshade
the cabbage. Avoid planting near radishes, as they do not grow well together.
Carrots:
Avoid planting near dill as this can stunt growth. Dill and carrots both belong in the Umbel-
liferae family, and if allowed to flower it will cross-pollinate with the carrots.
Avoid planting alongside Celery as this is from the same family.
Corn:
Where possible, avoid planting corn and tomatoes together, as they both attract the same to-
mato fruit-worm.
Cucumber:
Sage should be avoided near cucumber, as it generally injurious to the cucumber plant.
Peas:
Onions and garlic stunt the growth of peas.
