I've been looking into companion planting for my cabbage and collards, but a lot of what I read seems more anecdotal than scientific. I'm wondering if there are any plants that truly work as companions, or if using them could even do more harm than good?
3 Answers
From my experience, the whole companion planting thing can be hit or miss. I’ve found that nasturtiums really help with tomatoes, but otherwise, it hasn’t made much difference for me. I think it's often oversold without real backing.
If you’re looking for science on companion plants, you might want to check out a book called 'Plant Partners.' Most of the time, the evidence isn't strong. I tried planting onions with my brassicas last year thinking they'd keep pests away, but honestly, I didn’t notice much difference. It didn’t hurt anything, though!
It really depends on what you mean by companion plants. Are you looking for ones that boost growth or just don’t compete with each other? I like planting some aphid magnets nearby to manage pests, but I’m not sure if that’s your goal. Generally, marigolds and rosemary are said to be good companions for collards, while cabbage can do well with celery and green onions.
Absolutely! Plus, having a variety can help create a balanced ecosystem in your garden.
Yeah, I've heard marigolds are great for repelling pests in general. Plus, they look nice in the garden!