In order to maximize your garden's efficiency, make sure you
are companion pairing your plants. Don’t know what companion pairing is or how
it works? No problem -- keep reading to find out.
Companion Pairing –
So, for starters, what is companion pairing? Companion pairing is the act of
planting individuals of the same or different species, depending on
their relative needs, in groups. Now, at first, this may seem simple, like planting shade
plants in the same location; however, this isn't really what we’re getting at.
Companion pairing is all about placing individuals together so that they will reap
benefits from their neighbors. Figuring out which species should be planted
together and which should not is the hard part, as some will reap benefits and
others could suffer potential harm if placed too close to their neighbors.
The Benefits of
Pairing – So, what are these special benefits that neighboring plants reap
from each other? Well, for example, if you have plants that require natural
pollination for survival or to bear fruit, plant them near African Blue Basil.
African Blue Basil attracts bees, which will help pollinate your other nearby
plants. Here’s another example: For sensitive
plants that are prone to catch diseases and fungi, make sure you surround them
with species that are disease resistant. That way, you don’t have to worry about
diseases spreading easily to your weaker plants. For individuals that need
plenty of shade, why not plant them next to larger plants like corn and
tomatoes? And for those plants that require a generous amount of watering,
group them together; that way, they’ll all get a generous amount when you turn on
a localized sprinkler system.
Companion pairing is all about making your garden work for and not against you. If you know what species are going to benefit from each
other, plant them in groups; this way, you won’t have to worry about an
individual getting too much sun or a plant being exposed to diseases. Plant
smarter -- not harder.
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