Sowing The Seeds of Love

Last post I promised more info on companion planting. Here we go -
The basic idea behind companion planting is that certain plants have a somewhat symbiotic relationship with other plants. Planted together the plants may increase yields, provide pest control, or condition the soil. However, there are also certain plants that should never be planted together, such as tomatoes and potatoes, because they either have a deleterious effect on the soil or on one another. Basically, planning a garden using companion planting is like playing Sudoku with plants.

Although companion planting techniques originally arose through observation and horticultural science, but over time some more metaphysical techniques were used to determine what plants ere good companions. There are numerous websites that have extensive lists of what to plant with what and what plants to avoid planting together. As I'm sure you have experienced when searching the web, many of the sites offering authoritative advice do not agree with one another. One of the better sites I found was the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service ( with a name like that it has to be good!). Other sites basically just have lists of plants, but this one goes into a little more detail about the science (or pseudo-science, in some cases) behind companion planting. Although companion planting techniques originally arose through observation and horticultural science, but over time some more metaphysical techniques were used to determine what plants are good companions.

For example, in my garden I have planted, along with the main vegetable crops, marigolds, bee balm, and oregano. Marigolds have been shown to repel pests that feed on tomatoes and squash. Instead of using insecticides (organic or not) on the plants, I am relying on the marigolds to keep the tomato and squash bugs at bay. Oregano provides general pest protection. Bee Balm, in addition to being very pretty when in bloom, attracts bees to pollinate the vegetable and fruit flowers, enhances the flavor and growth of tomatoes and is thought to discourage subterranean pests. Not only is my garden beautiful and edible, it's also self-pest controlling.

Next time - more info on the 100 Mile Diet, I promise. I just ordered the book by the originators of the 100 Mile Diet, Alisa Smith and JB McKinnon, and can't wait to start reading it. In the meantime check out the link under roadside attractions.