Welcome to June—the biggest planting month of the year. The soil has warmed up, making the ground a wonderful host for new, young flower and vegetable plants. With the threat of frost behind us, we can safely plant summer gardens. Look to purchase healthy, strong vegetable and flower plants. If you are growing your vegetables from seed, be sure to leave them outside to harden them off for about a week before planting them into the ground.
This column is about what vegetable plants complement each other and grow well next to each other, making a happy and productive garden.
There are many benefits of companion planting. Plants can attract beneficial insects and pollinators, and deter pests and act as insect repellents. They can even fend off predators and undesirable wildlife. For instance, raccoons dislike the smell of cucumbers. Who knew?
Some vegetable combinations are superstars and bring out the best in one another. Here are a few examples:
Corn, pole beans and squash, best known as the “three sisters.” Corn’s strong, tall stems provide upright support for climbing pole beans. Pole beans fix nitrogen in the soil, providing essential nutrients for corn and squash. Squash leaves provide shade and help the soil to retain moisture and block out weeds.
Cucumbers, sunflowers and pole beans. The principle here is the same: sunflower supports climbing pole beans while cucumber vines shield the ground.
Sage, carrots and/or cabbage. Sage is a repellent for carrot flies and cabbage moths.
Parsley and tomatoes. Parsley attracts beneficial insects that help keep control of damaging insects that prey on tomato plants.
Some plants benefit almost any plant they are paired with, either by repelling damaging insects or attracting beneficial insects that prey on the bad guys:
Nasturtiums lure hungry caterpillars away from cabbage, broccoli and kale.
Mint’s strong scent repels aphids, ants and flea beetles.
Garlic also has a strong scent that is pungent and repels a variety of mites, moths and beetles.
Dill is known to attract ladybugs, which are voracious eaters of damaging aphids and spider mites.
Finally, don’t forget the beautiful flowers that act as a beacon for bees and other pollinators that help spread pollen and encourage vegetable plants to grow and reproduce. Pollinators favor zinnias, sweet Alyssum, daisies, sunflowers and cosmos.
Petunias are a fabulous flower to have near the garden as they repel squash bugs and tomato hornworms. They are a great companion for beans, tomatoes and corn. Marigolds repel the cabbage worms that love to eat your mustard greens, kale, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
From my garden to yours, may you have plenty of beautiful flowers and bountiful vegetables to enjoy all summer long.