Oftentimes in gardens we think to plant flowers with other flowers and shrubbery and we plant vegetables with other vegetables. But when you plant the two together you get both beautiful natural aesthetics and a healthier garden. Here’s why…
Attract Beneficial Insects
Bees are a gardener’s best friend; you could almost say that the bee is the quiet partner in the business of achieving a healthy and productive garden. Bees benefit vegetable crops because bees stop and feed on the nectar of plants in bloom, and they help to swap the pollen with the other plants. So, having flowers near your vegetables, having flowers planted in the gaps between or at the ends of rows, will absolutely benefit your vegetable crops. However, this is not to say that every single flower/vegetable plant combination is well-matched, because oftentimes there are problems between certain flowers and plants. Check and make sure that anything you intend to put into your garden to attract beneficial insects, such as bees, gets along well with its neighboring plants.
Plants as Insect Repellants
One of the best organic insect repellants is plants. To place certain plants near crops very susceptible to certain pests—think of the crawling pest that can eat their way through a lettuce/kale/chard patch in short order—is to hopefully repel some of these types on insects. For instance, consider placing certain herbs near greenery, planting marigolds near plants susceptible to pests such as nematodes, etc.
And if you’ve found flower/garden plant combinations that get along appropriately, make sure that the flowers you intend to plant will come into bloom around the same time as your vegetable crop. Also remember to plant both flowers and vegetables in quality soil from Rocky Mountain Compost. The amended top soils and the potting soils are a terrific growing-solution vital to the success of any rural or urban garden style. If you have any questions as to how much soil you might need this summer to begin your first garden, or the amount of compost you’ll need to bolster your garden plant life, then make sure to call Rocky Mountain Compost today.
