For many unique strategies used in organic vegetable gardening there is one that should get a exceptional consideration. Known and efficiently used for many generations it transformed the way we deal with and look at the vegetable gardens.
Companion planting, issue of this post, was used by Native Americans well before the coming of Europeans and for over 1000 years by Chinese. In 1970s it began to gather worldwide popularity thanks to organic gardening initiative.
The idea of companion planting is based on the theory that some crops, planted in closeness, can help each other in repelling pests, obtaining nutrients and other factors crucial to boosting crop productivity and wellness.
Tomatoes, for instance, have many allies like carrot, cucumber, bean, basil, pepper, parsley, asparagus, onion and marigold. On the other hand, occasionally tomato plants can slow down the growth of carrots, but it should not have the impact on their flavor.
If you want to have mosquitoes and flies as far from your tomatoes as possible, plant them close to basil. It will also enhance the growth and taste. On the other hand worms will be discouraged by borage.
It is very important to remember that corn and tomatoes can be assaulted by the same worm so keeping these two plants away from one another is crucial for their health. Potatoes produce some damaging compounds causing growth stunt, therefore planting them near your tomatoes just isn’t a great idea if you think about the efficiency in your garden. The other unsafe plants are cabbage, dill, fennel and apricot. Planting tomatoes underneath a walnut tree can cause a disease described as walnut wilt, which is exclusive for tomatoes.
Not surprisingly companion planting will work both ways. Tomatoes will be providing important materials and perform as pest repellants for all of above-mentioned partners.
If the garden is accurately arranged it will present you with crops without causing troubles or requesting additional treatment.
Before creating the organic garden make sure you check this post about growing your own food.