Companion Planting

Last year I planted ten tomato plants in one raised bed. That way, when one of them got early blight and then late blight, they could all share the same disease more efficiently. Terrific, right?

Wrong. This year, I'm experimenting with companion planting. The idea with companion planting is that by planting different crops in close proximity, they assist each other with pest control, nutrient uptake and pollination. For example, it might be beneficial to plant onions near carrots, because onions are a deterrent to carrot fly larvae. I've read that garlic is beneficial to roses, because the garlic will ward off aphids and black spot, and increase the perfume of roses. There are numerous articles and books on the topic, and since I'm not an expert, I'd encourage you to do your own research.

This spring at Red Bucket Farm, I've inter-planted several vegetables with herbs. Tomatoes, basil, parsley, carrots, scallions and dill are all planted in shared beds. It's not as neat and tidy as last year's layout, and it may complicate crop rotation for next year, but I'm giving it a try.