Maybe you ’ve read that planting marigolds ( Calendula officinalis ) near tomatoes ( Solanum lycopersicum L ) will discourage white flies or aphid , while lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ) is a wizard tonic that guard off moth .
These are part of what is commonly called " companion planting , " but they are , in fact , a phase of wizard thought process — there is lilliputian scientific base for most recommend companion works dyad , although you will find multiple websites heel one C of so - called uncaused combination .
There is , however , a scientific base for the praxis of " intercropping , " based on botanic knowledge and existent studies in the field . Watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus ) is indeed a good " comrade " plant in a garden . Let ’s use the term " intercropping , " which is used by the experts when there is something . . . well , expert . . . to report .
Tip
Most advocate comrade planting is not based on science but rather lore .
The Benefits of Intercropping
Under the soil is a mysterious net of plant root and fibrous structures , either existing symbiotically with nearby plant life or take hold of nutrients and space from their neighbors . Above ground , too , is a cacophony of various root word , foliage , flowers and fruit .
The idea behind successful intercropping is to optimize the wellness of each plant , ensuring enough space , patronise similar growing requirements , building tidy soil and managing pests and disease .
The Three Sisters
The Three Sisters , an intercropping arrangement initially practice by Native Americans , co - planted squash ( Cucurbitaspp . ) , bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) and Indian corn ( Zea mays ) , according toTexas A&M AgriLife Extension . The university tested this traditional organization by co - planting groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea L ) , okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus ) , watermelon , cowpeas ( Vigna unguiculata ) , i.e. black - eyed pea , and hot capsicum ( Capsicum annuum ) .
Watermelons help suppress locoweed and provide some shade with their tremendous leave , while goober pea and black-eyed pea fixed nitrogen in the ground . Okra grow grandiloquent and can potentially attract pollinator with its flush . Hot peppers could deter pest .
The study ’s results revealed that three to four species did produce higher yields , compared to crops that were get alone .
Benefits to Soil
dissimilar tooth root systemsinteract with the dirt in different style . Some put down taproot — think carrots ( Daucus carota ) or radishes ( Raphanus sativus)—while others have abstruse enough roots to get at nutrients and water from late within the grunge . Taproots aid alleviate soil compaction , while deeply - rooted plants do n’t ask to vie with more shallow - steady down varieties for nutrient .
Some works fix nitrogen , such as legumes ( peas and beans , part of the Fabaceae family ) , so that when they are done , you dig them in , and they enrich the dirt .
Creating More Space
Everyone have it away that rocket ( Eruca sativa ) hops out of the priming and speed to maturity in a nanosecond , so it couple nicely in the same bed with pepper or tomatoes , which will fill up in a garden bed once the arugula is long gone .
Managing Weeds and Shade
Bare grease is a keen friend to unwanted sess , so it ’s often beneficial to pair lower - growing plants , such as lettuce or spinach , with tall plants , such as pole beans or flowers that need jeopardize . The modest plants leave some ground cover , while the tall plant provide afternoon shade .
‘Companion’ Plants for Watermelon
As verify by the research worker at Texas A&M , watermelon vine is a good option for providing some groundcover to serve keep weed growth for other plant that develop more just than watermelons .
This study , however , targeted commercial-grade raiser rather than home gardeners , observe that peanuts — an unlikely harvest for most the great unwashed — should be implant before watermelons in an intercropping design because they grow more slowly .
The University of Californiamaster gardenersof Contra Costa County have some testimonial to add based on the " three sisters " garden design :
Cucurbitaceae folk , including watermelon ( actually , all melon vine ) , cucumber , squash and pumpkin , share susceptibility to the same diseases , includingpowdery and downy mildewand various grime - borne pathogen . For this intellect , keep watermelon vine away from your cucumber or other melons to stave off the congregation of a eminent level of pests .
think of , though , that most recommended comrade planting is not ground on science but rather lore . However , some experient nurseryman have find over time either negative or beneficial core from couple certain plant .
So just because a scientific discipline has not been done does not signify you should exclusively discount gardeners ' observations and experience . Just do n’t believe everything you learn , and try out combination that make sense to you in your own garden .
