Companion

https://gardenerspath.com/how-to/organic/benefits-companion-planting/

• Biological Pest Control

  • Attracting Natural Enemies
  • Deterring Pests with Smells
  • Creating Visual or Physical Barriers
  • Trap Cropping

• Protection and Support

  • Controlling Weeds
  • Controlling Erosion and Retaining Water
  • Creating Shade
  • Providing Structural Support

• Sharing Soil Resources

  • Sharing Soil Nutrients
  • Sharing Space

• Avoiding Allelopathy

• Insectaries: attract predatory and parasitoid insects with nectar, pollen, and shelter.

• Repellents: deter pests through olfactory or visual confusion.

• Trap Crops: attract pests away from crop.

• Nitrogen fixers: add nitrogen to the soil and won’t compete for this nutrient.

• Light feeders: have low nitrogen requirements and won’t compete for this nutrient.

• Ground covers: act as cover crops for water retention, soil protection, and to hinder weeds.

• Shade providers: offer protection in the form of shade from hot sun and while plants are getting established.

• Support providers: offer a structure for other plants to climb on.

• Non-allelopathic species: do not contain compounds harmful to neighboring species.