Good growing neighbors
Many plants grow better with companions
than each plant would produce if grown alone. An outstanding example:
the “three sisters” – corn,
pole beans and either squash or pumpkins. This trio is one of the easiest
and most satisfying to grow. Plant in the spring. Prepare soil by adding
fish scraps and/or wood ash to increase fertility. When danger of frost
has passed, plant six kernels of corn an inch deep and about 10 inches
apart in a circle about two feet in diameter. As corn grows, mound
up soil around the base of the stalks until a hill about one foot high
and three feet wide is formed. When corn grows to about five inches
tall, plant four bean seeds (evenly spaced) around the perimeter of
the mound. About a week later, plant six squash or pumpkin seeds (evenly
spaced) around the perimeter of the mound. If space is limited, use
squash, which spreads less than the pumpkin. Each sister contributes
something to the planting. By the time European settlers arrived in
America in the early 1600s, the Iroquois had been growing the “three
sisters” for over three centuries.
Most vegetables have “friends” with whom they grow and produce
better. For example: Beans thrive when planted near beets, strawberries,
corn, eggplant, squash, peas, tomatoes, carrots, radishes, potatoes and
celery. Enemies of beans are peppers, sunflowers, garlic and onions.
Lettuce does not do well when planted near broccoli. It thrives near
most vegetables including squash, cucumbers, asparagus, beets, corn,
eggplant, onions, potatoes, radishes and spinach. Peppers fare better
near spinach, onions, coriander, tomatoes and basil. Tomato enemies include
asparagus, celery, beans, dill, peppers, lettuce, melons, radishes, onions,
thyme and spinach. Onions grow better when planted near beets, lettuce,
carrots, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach and cabbage.