The Great And Not So Great Garden Companions

Hey Everyone,

Collard Greens

I was speaking with someone in the garden last week having trouble growing radishes in close proximity to their collard greens.  They mentioned neither had performed very well even though they did everything right. Hence, the inspiration for this post as it is a common problem you may encounter in the garden!  

From the symptoms they described of how their plants and produce appeared (both small and unproductive) and the proper steps they had taken in their care, it sounded like a simple case of bad bed buddies.  I certainly won't try to say that one fast three times!

Amethyst Radishes
Territorial Seed 

Much like countless dogs and cats, some plants just do not get along.  While others have such an amazing connection, you are bewildered and intrigued by their behavior.   Many of my garden references state that Radishes and the Cole crops are actually bad companions in the garden as they somewhat repel each other.  Most often, this leads to stunted growth and poor development.  Not always, just more often than not!  

However, if you take those same radishes and plant them next to carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, peas, spinach, and a few others, they will all work in perfect harmony creating a symbiotic relationship.  I actually seem to find my radishes more on the sweeter side when I plant them beside my lettuce in the early days of spring.  They are also excellent to use as a trap crop (see definition below) for leafminers when grown alongside spinach and lettuce, or utilized as a repellent for cucumber beetles.  I use both these practices on a routine basis.

Trap Crop - A small group of plants often used in companion planting techniques to attract harmful or undesirable insects away from the main crop.

There is a substantial amount of information out there regarding the use of companion planting.  The science behind the concept is that some plants chemically enhance or inhibit each other's growth when planted in close proximity to one another.  In addition, it is believed that certain plants have the further benefit of either being able to attract or repel certain insects depending on your needs.  Much of it is proven scientific fact; however, you will always find some folklore mixed in.      

Raised bed gardening actually lends itself quite well to the practice of companion planting due to the close proximity in which each crop needs to be grown.  I have been experiencing a great amount of success with the method of utilizing certain crops to repel insects.  Garlic, parsley, mint, and radishes left to bloom are all workhorses in the garden for me.  With the rapid approach of spring, I thought I would offer some information on the topic to get everyone off to a great planting season with much success. The first link offers a base list to use in the garden for those that just want a quick reference of the great and not so great garden companions.  The second and third links provide some additional information on the topic.  

Garden Companion Planting Chart - link to a basic list of companion plants - vegetables

Companion Planting Techniques - link to some general information on companion planting

Companion Gardening Overview - link to some general information on companion planting

Rodale Organic Gardening
Reference
Sally Jean Cunnigham

"Great Garden Companions", by Sally Jean Cunningham out of Cornell University is one of the nice references that I use and is readily available on Amazon.  This book maintains its focus solely 
on the vegetable garden and provides detailed information for preventing pest problems utilizing common herbs and flowers.  I find quite a bit of success with many of her recommendations.

Happy Gardening!

Denise, Beds 25 & 29