After an unforgiving Wisconsin winter, a seed, some soil, and seemingly endless sun can make those winter blues turn to summer green. The first step is planning how to start a thriving garden. Next, organizing fruits and veggies for optimal growth is just as important as picking which seeds to plant. Many plants have companions in the garden along with some bullies. Finally, researching which plants work well together will leave your garden full of fruits and vegetables.
Companion planting is a simple way every gardener can produce a beautiful garden with a bigger yield. All it takes is a little research and you’re off and planting. Like people, plants have “likes and dislikes”. Some plants flourish planted next to others. However, when placed next to the wrong plant they can suffer.
There are many benefits to using companion planting beside the possibility of health and higher yielding gardens. An example of such benefits is warding off of certain harmful insects and parasites which could completely destroy all of your hard work.
Here’s a list on what plants are “buddies” and “bullies” when planted next to each other:
- Tomatoes: Buddies- basil, carrots, celery, chives, oregano, and parsley. Bullies- cabbage, fennel, and potatoes.
- Peppers: Buddies- basil, carrots, onions, and tomatoes. Bullies- Beans, Cabbage, Kale
- Beans: Buddies- Cabbage, Corn, Cucumbers, Lavender, Strawberries, and Sunflowers. Bullies- Garlic, Onions, and Fennel.
- Peas: Buddies- Grows well with most veggies and herbs. Bullies- Onions, Garlic
- Strawberries: Buddies- Beans, Lettuce, Onion, Spinach, and Thyme. Bullies- Cabbage
- Corn: Buddies- Beans, Cucumbers, Marigolds, Melons, Parsley, Peas, Pumpkins, Sunflowers. Bullies- Cabbage, Fennel, Strawberries
Always remember, we might think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it is our garden that is nurturing us.
HalfNHalf includes: Brittany Fetterly, Trevor Gossen, Joshua Konecke, Darian Kuglin and Audrey Schneider
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