Companion planting

According to Wikipedia

Companion planting is the planting of different crops in close physical proximity (in gardening and agriculture), on the theory that they assist each other in nutrient uptake, pest control, pollination, and other factors necessary to increasing crop productivity.

Companion planting was widely touted in the 1970s as part of the organic gardening movement[citation needed]. It was encouraged for pragmatic reasons, such as natural trellising, but mainly with the idea that different species of plant may thrive more when close together[citation needed]. It is also a technique frequently used in permaculture, together with mulching, polyculture, and changing of crops.

One traditional practice of Native Americans was planting of corn (maize) and pole beans together. The cornstalk would serve as a trellis for the beans to climb while the beans would fix nitrogen for the corn. The inclusion of squash with these two plants completes the Three Sisters technique, pioneered by Native American peoples.

Its interesting how plants have human characteristics. When I was a kid, I remember hearing how plants had feelings. They said how important it was to speak nice to your plants. Some even take it to the extreme to play soothing music for their plants.

My supervisor at my job gave me some corn seeds from his garden(Eddie, don't forget to take those pictures so I can feature your garden). When he told me that he was growing corn in his garden, it reminded me that I've always wanted to grow corn. This was important to me because growing corn, which is called 'maiz', is big in El Salvador. Many of the dishes are made with maize. For example, a tortilla is a flatbread made from corn and a pupusa (from Pipil pupusawa) is a thick, hand-made corn Biscuit-like flat bread (made using masa de maíz) that is stuffed with one or more of the following: cheese (queso) (usually a soft Salvadoran cheese called Quesillo), refried beans (frijoles refritos), and so on, are one of our famous dishes. Hit the jump to read more....

Well, I began researching the corn seed and how to grow them. This is when I discovered that certain plants have good companions and bad companions. I began to read that the corn plant and the tomato plant are not good companion plants because they attract the same bugs and worms. It is advisable to keep them far away from each other, because if one crop becomes infested you will lose both crops if they are close to each other. Other plants attract bugs that will improve the garden or eat parasites. Some plants effect other plants both via the nutrients they take and the by-products they deposit into the soil.

People also can apply this same guide when choosing a companion. Some may agree and some may disagree, but we all need companionship whether its through a friend, a partner, a mate, and/or a spouse. Choosing good companionship is an everyday learning lesson. Parents always say, "Choose your friends and mates wisely" because they know they have great influences and effects in our lives. Each companion holds a lot of power because they each can affect our happiness.

I'm reminded of this everyday with my wife. There is no doubt in my mind that she is one of the greatest things to happen to me. I'm blessed to have her in my life because she is my good companion. She provides nutrient(she uplifts my spirit), repels bugs(keeps me focus on my covenant), and increases my production(she betters me and pushes me to work harder). We've always felt that we were each other's good companion since the first time we dated. We realized that more today because of the different relationships we've had, in between our break ups, that brought us hell. We have our moments when we make each other miserable, but what marriage doesn't, they are just moments. Moments that come and quickly go. Yes, I said quickly when compared to the amount of good times you do have. Don't just think about lately, but think about from the time you started dating to today.

So understand that there are such things as good companions and bad ones. Do your research before making your final choice. Know what good nutrients you need, what bugs you repel and attract, and what other factors you need(not want) to help your productivity so that the companion doesn't infest your crops.