Companion planting in organic agriculture and gardening is the planting of various plants in close proximity for whatever of a variety of reasons, such as pest control, pollination, creating habitat for beneficial indigenous insects, to enhance crop production, and of course to simply increase crop yields. There are many different companion planting ideas and concepts that are used. Some of these ideas are very simply put into practice, while others require a bit more thought, depending upon the plants being planted. One such concept is used for shade tolerant plants. This concept is often referred to as shade loving gardening.
Shade tolerant companion plants include tall fescues (trifolium pratense), marigolds, and skills. These are all vines or woody plants, that can tolerate some shade. In the process of improving crop production through the use of shade tolerant companion planting ideas, it has been found that the plants are actually more productive when they are planted further away from the main crops, in order to shade the main crops from the sun. This allows the crops like the marigolds and skills to create a deeper shade surrounding, thus increasing their productivity even more. The same effect is obtained with the fescues by planting them further away, but on the other side of the spectrum, allowing the shade tolerant plants to create a cooler environment in which the soil can act as a sponge for the rainfall, instead of washing it all away in the form of heavy rains.
Some other concepts that are commonly referred to when discussing companion planting are the benefits to the pollinators. One such example is to plant the red clover, daffodils, daisies, cherries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, close together near the main crops, in order to attract bees and other beneficial insects. All of these insects will then help to pollinate the crop, increasing its overall yield. However, the bees will not actually make the honey that we crave, which is created when the nectar is extracted by the insects. Rather, they will collect the pollen, which will be carried back to the hive, creating honey to be consumed by us.
There is also a concept that has to do with the protection of the crops themselves from pests. With companion planting ideas, it is possible to plant all of the crops you would like around your home, in order to protect them from any pests or diseases that might come along. For example, there are some plants, such as the purple coneflower, that have been known to deter certain insects from destroying certain crops. In addition, there are also others, such as the milkweed, that can protect against the harmful effects of fungi, while at the same time increasing the yields of the crops that are grown by them. These types of plants will certainly help to keep pests away from the area, as well as making the food you produce taste better, due to the protection of the various microorganisms living within the soil.
Of course, protecting your garden from pests and diseases is just one reason to plant companion plants. In fact, another benefit to having a companion planting chart is the fact that it is a great way to teach kids about gardening. After all, most children love plants, but not all children are able to care for those plants, especially if they get damaged. As such, having a gardening guide for kids can help them learn the basics of caring for their garden and the many different types of plants and flowers that can be used to keep them healthy.
Of course, one of the best reasons to plant companion plants is for the visual appeal of your garden. Some plants look wonderful when planted right next to each other. For example, if you have a garden filled primarily with annuals, you can give some of them small annuals, such as stink herbs or pansies to grow next to your garden’s vegetables. On the other hand, if you have a garden full of perennials, you can surround those plants with those that do not grow quickly and which only grow a few leaves each year. Such plants include catmint, sage, and sweet William.
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