Define Companion Planting

Hi,

Can someone define companion planting for me? By that I mean is there a distance quideline? When there is a vegetable that should NOT be planted near another, how far are we talking about?

Thanks,
Susan in NC

I've been curious about distances also. Glad you asked.

This may be useful to you.

http://www.ext.nodak.edu/county/cass/horticulture/vegetables/companion.htm

Normally close means interplanted with each other or in rows next to each other. Read the association in the link. Some plants share the same pests and blights so planting them anywhere near each other or in succession to each other increases the likelihood you'll have problems (Tomatoes and potatoes are attacked by the same blight, corn and tomato are attacked by the same worm).

Some plants (herbs, vegetables and flowers) are beneficial to others by deterring pests (Nasturtium deters squash bugs and beetles, so plant it among your squash), while others stunt each others growth (onions stunt bean and pea, pole beans and beets stunt each other's growth) so leave some distance between them in the garden or don't plant them at the same time.
Claud

This guide contains much useful information, but I haven't had any dealings with the company and they are unlisted in the garden wachdog.

http://www.ghorganics.com/page2.html

Edited to add: This guide belongs to Golden Harvest Organics and they are listed in the garden watchdog.
86 positives
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This message was edited Jun 7, 2009 9:34 AM

Thanks for those links Claude. I see a lot of interesting reading on that last site.

Thank you, they look good.