Companion Planting & Garden Design Andy Waltke, M.S. Creighton University Common Soil Seed Library Lecture Series Companion Planting This term describes the growing of different species of plants together for benefit to one or both involved. Thought to be a large component in successful organic pest management in the garden. HOWEVER, each garden space is unique and it is always best to test examples and weigh results. 1
GOOD vs BAD Plant Lists A good guide, but many relationships may not be clearly proven. Often difficult to digest or interpret. Monoculture creates an insect pest haven, so above all companion planting only helps to embrace the diversity and benefit of plants! Always experiment and get creative! 2
Terms to Consider Biomimicry mimic the patterns & processes of nature, or using nature as a tool instead of attempting in its domination. Natural Systems Agriculture Intercropping or Interplanting mixed planting of species. Will maximize the use of space and potential benefits of plants. 3
Whole Picture Thinking Temporal and Spatial Companions Functional Companions Increased Growth of plants Increased Qualities of Plants flavors, etc Plant Pest Protection Attracting Pollinators or Beneficial Predators Visual Companions Size companions Color companions What we are really talking about is PLANT FRIENDSHIPS! 4
Space and Time Spatial where to put the plants in the garden. Select plants that benefit each other through size, color, or chemistry. Temporal growing many types of the same or closely related plant to produce blooms all year long. Crop rotation over time Goldenrod Together will yield yellow Goldenrod flowers most of the year! Solidago speciosa Blooms early in the season July through September Solidago ridiga Blooms later in the season August through Fall 5
Showy Goldenrod Solidago speciosa Rigid Goldenrod Solidago rigida Crop Rotation Rotate crops each year in the garden by groups of plant families Prevents pests to build up in the soil and infect the same plants the next year Allows soil to regenerate between plantings of larger plants or heavy feeders. Track what you grow and where, then simply rotate what bed plants go in 6
World Wide Web of Fungi Almost all plants will grow in combination with fungi and those in turn will link plants or plant communities together! How plants communicate with one another Often the vehicle to deliver compounds between two different plants Plants for Increased Growth Mainly those of the Fabaceae or Bean family Harbor bacteria in nodules within their roots that will take nitrogen from the air and make it into a form used by plants Difficult to accomplish! Place next to large plants or those that will produce lots of fruit heavy feeders. 7
Intercropping of Beans/Peas Pole or climber beans AND peas are great to add between rows of shorter plants Add to plantings of other climbers like smaller squashes Good companion to all plants EXCEPT onions and garlic Three Sisters Planting 8
Plants Will Increase Some Plant Compounds in Another Borage will increase the sugar production in nearby crops Great companion for tomatoes or other crops you want to be sweet Beets will break down and add minerals to soil making them available to nearby plants Protection from Plant Pests Three primary tactics utilized 9
gold! This plant smells so pungently that it will mask the odor of a host plant confusing a pest insect These compounds will also functionally serve as pesticides to some insects making the plant toxic upon consumption Controls below ground nematode pests entire genus Tagetes Onions and Garlic Not to be planted around beans/peas Both are smaller and compact plants making them versatile and useful in intercropping Beneficial companions for any most any other garden plant 10
Another Tactic: Distract Pests Growing one plant that is a preferred host over the crop you are growing Radish with cucumbers with distract beetles Growing one plant to attract pests away from your crops Tobacco around the garden will attract whitefly and other pest insects Wild Tobacco Smells amazing, but only at night! Pollinated by Hawkmoths among others. 11
Pollinator Attracting Plants Make gardens a third to half of all plants flowers! Also About Beneficial Predators 12
Native Wildflowers to Attract Pollinators Blanket Flower Echinaceae Bee Balms Asters like Black Eyed Susans Milkweeds Leadplant Prairie Garden 13
Example of Biomimicry Visual Companions Look at the shape of leaves and try pairing plants with different textures in appearance. Think grasses with wildflowers! Gardening as an endeavor in art and your own personal habitat! Think primary, secondary, and complimentary colors 14
Plant Textures Complimentary Colors Red and Green Yellow and Purple Blue and Orange 15
Garden Design Efficiently use space above and below ground! Plant root crops by plants with above ground crops. Grow vertically when possible Realize you have the ability to rotate space around the garden, but also in time so no need to pack it all in at once! Ideas Grow smaller squash on a trellis onto lower rooftops Make covered areas for peas or climbers to grow up that will grow leafy greens below Plant larger plants or grasses where water may need to be controlled Conversely, plant drought tolerant plants where others may not grow well 16
Archway There s Always Shade 17
Considerations Go Native when possible! All plants have an adult size they will reach, so space plants accordingly! Space plants so they will nearly reach one another to minimize soil water evaporation. Combine this design with other good garden practices like proper cleanliness, mulching and soil amendments like composting. Conclusions This all yields an increase in garden diversity! Pollinator plants will become critical to helping those insects to survive Using any means necessary to limit chemical usage in the garden will be beneficial to our health and the environment Become a participant in citizen science! GET CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN! 18
Lots more is possible! 19
Common Soil Lecture Series April: Pollination, Wildflowers, and Importance of Beneficial Insects May: Plant Pests and Diseases, and Organic Methods to Control them in the Garden June: Soil Health: Composting, and the Benefits of Intercropping and Cover Crops July: Harvesting, Storing, Canning, and Fermenting Foods And Then seed saving! Online Resources Nebraska Statewide Arboretum USDA PLANTS Pollinator Conservation Program Wikipedia Prairie Moon Nursery Xerces Society 20
Book Resources Corn Among the Indians of the Upper Missouri River by George F. Will Buffalo Bird Woman s Garden: Agriculture of the Hidatsa Indians by Gilbert Wilson The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perennials by Marshall Craigmyle Rodale s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening by Anna Kruger 21