The Companions You Choose

5-31-2023

Ornamental flowers and flowering herbs are so much more than pretty additions to the vegetable garden. These blooming companion plants can result in a healthier, more productive vegetable garden, and even eliminate the need for harsh pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

At  Swan Farm,  two crew members have renovated garden beds to focus on herbs and flowers. The herbs chosen by LeeAnn  and  Claire  are not only welcome additions to our dinner plates, but also serve to attract to bees and other pollinators.

They planted dill, sage, and chives to help increase pollinator activity, and contribute to increased harvest yields of fruiting plants like squash and cucumber. Dill, alyssum, and coriander were planted to attract ladybugs to keep aphid populations in check.

Marigolds, which attract bees and other pollinators, produce compounds in their root systems that may aid in killing non-beneficial nematodes in the soil. The Swan crew planted marigolds near tomatoes, cucumbers and squash.

Marigolds, along with cosmos and calendula, can attract parasitic wasps and hover flies that feed on cabbage loopers and other pests. These flowers have been planted near broccoli and other brassicas that are often targeted by caterpillars.

Nasturtiums naturally come up everywhere at Swan, but LeeAnn has planted several varieties to repel whiteflies, squash bugs, aphids, several beetles species, and cabbage loopers. The flower protects itself, as well as other plants, by emitting an airborne phytochemical that deters these bugs.

Beloved hummingbirds have not been forgotten in the garden. According to LeeAnn, sage, bee balm, catmint and scarlet runner plants have been planted for their pleasure.

To read more about companion planting, check out this resource from  Oregon State University Extension.

Submitted by Suzanne Eggleston