OK – so you may not be a FULL convert to organic gardening – but there are some easy and fun combinations to add to your VIVA! Veggies garden that will help improve your yields, reduce your pest issues and make the garden a lot more fun.

There are many small-scale practices of companion planting. Companion planting suggests two or more different plants be planted fairly close together in the garden so that the plants can benefit from their companion in one or more ways, such as natural pest control, higher yields, etc. The best known example of companion plants is to plant marigolds in and around tomatoes and peppers. The Marigold root system is a natural deterrent to nematodes, an underground pest that can damage plants and reduce yields.

Rule 1 – Even if you do not like peas or beans – they are both in the legume family and as such actually capture nitrogen from the air – and convert it into root nodules.  If you plant beans or peas – make sure you till the plants back into the soil after harvest and you will help increase your soils nitrogen content.

Rule 2 – Some plants will scare away pests.  While the best known one is adding marigolds to keep soil nematodes at bay – also consider:

Basil – will reduce aphids, fruit-fly, white-fly and are even rumored to reduce mosquitoes. Plus you can use the basil in cooking! Plant in a border or in clumps throughout the garden.

Nasturtium – not only are nasturtium edible flowers – but the orange colored ones keep aphids and some beetles away – while the yellow nasturtiums attract beetles – so plant the orange in the garden and  the yellow ones far away in a corner to attract bugs away from your veggies.

Also, herbs often attract natural pollinators to the garden, such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, which contribute to the production of fruits, vegetables and seed in the garden

Rosemary – will keep some bugs off of cabbage, beans or carrots – although we hear potatoes and rosemary do not mix well in the garden.

Lavender – one of our favorite herbs – the fragrant oils attract bees – good for pollination, while keeping many bugs away. 

A hedge of lavender, rosemary and basil will be an attractive border and will keep away many insects. 

As you are thinking about companion plants it is also a good idea to ponder ‘where to put the tomatoes’ – an age old conundrum as if you plant your tomatoes in the same location every year for many years – you may see the yields drop. As we like adding marigolds with tomatoes as a companion to help keep soil pests away, we also like to move the tomato patch from time to time to a new location – to keep the soil borne diseases away for our tomatoes. A good rule of thumb is every 2-3 years plan the tomatoes in a new location – and don’t forget to add those marigolds! Also take a look at the Container Gardening section for nifty ideas with Veggie patio pots.

Don't forget: veggies can be great accent plants in any garden, not just your veggie patch. The bright colors of peppers and the reds of red lettuce heads can be great additions to spice up your perennial garden.

When planting veggies, pay good attention to the planting information on the tag. Some veggies, like corn, need to be planted in blocks to allow for sufficient pollination. Melons and squashes should be planted on mounds to keep them dry, and peppers should be planted in a warm area- the hotter the pepper, the warmer the environment should be. Be sure to allow for plenty of air circulation and direct sunlight for your veggies.