A Guide to Companion Planting

Companion planting has been practised by gardeners for centuries, and has increased in popularity as organic growing methods have become more well-known. It is, however, a technique held back by its association with folklore, and by the shortage of reliable information about what really works. This inspirational guide provides a straightforward introduction to the basics of companion planting, explaining the benefits of gardening in harmony with nature and outlining the different ways in which companion plants can work to make your garden healthier and more productive. It explores the many benefits of mixed cropping and intercropping, and shows how easily companion planting techniques can be incorporated into any style of plot. It tells you which methods actually work, and explains the science behind them. Companion planting is a natural and effective method of cultivation involving the grouping together of plants that make good neighbours.In nature, plants grow in close communities with a number of different species existing side by side - unlike the rigid rows of single crops found in many vegetable gardens - and companion planting can provide specific benefits to vegetables, fruits, herbs and ornamentals. This book explores the many different ways in which companion planting can benefit your garden, and explains how to make these work in practice: by attracting pollinators and predators, by assisting pest control, by preventing disease, by improving the soil, by supplying nutrients to crop plants, and by providing them with shelter. It also considers the possible negative effects of companion planting, and suggests ways to avoid these. Tables show at a glance the positive and negative associations between specific pairs of plants, and the book concludes with a detailed further reading list.