Not-so-good Plant Neighbors

[digitS']

I can't quite bring myself to refer to them as "bad" without implying some sort of morality on garden plants. Perhaps, given most of our annual struggle with weeds, we can say that those are bad. Still and yet, with my appreciation of harvesting some weeds, I'm inclined to think of those as rowdy garden brats that are just too rambunctious in volunteering.

An article in The Spruce LINK caught my attention this morning. I Didn't Know that a bug under the husk of your ear of corn may be the same species chewing into your ripe tomato nearby! Still haven't checked that out. That pest damage is not common in my garden but I will look into that some more ... but, the woman being interviewed is a PhD working for ag extension.

Anyway, few ideas are there for actual good companions beyond some low-growing ornamentals. I went back and clicked the link to actual companion planting in the 2nd paragraph and that article provides more ideas to try.

Steve

 

[ducks4you]

Good article. I just restocked my marigold seeds yesterday, and I have seed for everything in this article except anis hyssop.
I think it's a good idea to use all strategies for pest management, and not put too much stock in articles that tell you that these plants don't really work.
That is the attitude of the suburban new home owner who wants to see "weeds" dead right away, and doesn't appreciate the value of the dandelion and clover on your lawn.
I never mind seeing purslane growing in my beds. If it is in the way I pull it out. I certainly won't poison it.
I read not too long ago that if you leave a patch of each bare, nature will grow Something there, probably Not what you want. So it doesn't really matter what vegetable or herb or flower you tuck in those spaces.