Many Chinese people enjoy gardening in their backyard, not only for the beauty of flowers and plants but also for the practicality of growing their own vegetables and fruits. It’s a way to fulfill the dream of having a kitchen garden.
Gardening itself is a form of art. Companion planting, an ancient gardening technique, can help produce healthier and more productive vegetables in a natural way. By pairing suitable plants together, a natural ecosystem can be created. For example, pairing carrots with onions can have multiple benefits, such as pest control, soil improvement, and enhanced flavor. This gardening method can work like magic for beginners in vegetable gardening, fostering flourishing gardens.
To help readers become skilled gardeners, the lifestyle magazine “Real Simple” interviewed three experts, who detailed the magic of planting seven vegetable combinations together.
Loren Taylor, the owner of Outdoor Fountain Pros, refers to corn, beans, and squash as the “Three Sisters.” According to Taylor, “They complement each other very well. Corn provides a supporting structure for beans to climb, while beans fix nitrogen in the soil.” Squash, on the other hand, spreads on the ground, helping to suppress weeds and maintain soil moisture. It is recommended to plant corn first, then beans once the corn stalks are a few inches high, followed by planting squash.
When it comes to vegetable companions, most pairings are aimed at protecting one plant from pests by planting it near another, thus providing fair growth opportunities. Carrots and onions are a classic example of this approach.
Taylor explains, “Onions are known to mask the smell of carrots, deterring carrot flies from approaching.” Additionally, since carrots have deep roots and onions have shallow roots, they do not compete for water and nutrients. Taylor also suggests that chives are a good alternative companion for carrots.
Onions also pair well with various lettuces. Nicole Burke, the owner of Gardenary, says, “They not only repel insects but also deter rabbits.” In warm weather, lettuces can provide shade for carrots, keeping them cool, while carrots help keep the soil loose, benefiting the lettuce root system. Since the root depths of lettuce and onions differ, they can coexist well in the same garden.
Tomatoes and basil are culinary treasures, both at the dinner table and in the garden. Erik Collado Vidal, a gardener, highlights that basil naturally repels aphids, whiteflies, and even mosquitoes, aiding in protecting tomato plants without the need for chemicals. Tomatoes have high nutrient requirements, while basil is easy to care for and attracts pollinators like bees, crucial for tomato pollination and yields.
Another beneficial vegetable and herb pairing is cabbage and dill. Taylor mentions that this combination is suitable for all brassicas, including cabbage, broccoli, and kale. Dill’s strong fragrance attracts beneficial insects that prey on caterpillars and cabbage moths. Dill can enhance the growth of cabbage and improve its flavor.
Since dill is frost-sensitive, it should be planted in spring after the cabbage has matured.
Beans are beneficial companions for many vegetables and plants, but they are particularly ideal as companion plants for broccoli. Beans are natural nitrogen-fixing plants, enriching the soil by absorbing nitrogen from the air. This makes them ideal partners for nutrient-demanding crops like broccoli, spinach, or even corn.
Beans help with broccoli growth, and in return, broccoli enhances the flavor of beans, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.
Lastly, two vegetables that are not only suitable for ground planting but also great for salads are cucumbers and radishes. Burke notes that radishes can act as trap crops, attracting pesky cucumber beetles, protecting cucumbers from damage. They also improve soil aeration and drainage, creating ideal growing conditions for cucumbers. Cucumbers and radishes do not compete for space as radishes grow underground and cucumbers grow above ground, preferably on a trellis.