Companion Planting: Native Plants Highlight
Have you ever wished your garden could be a thriving hub of activity? Companion planting with native plants can do just that! It’s a natural way to create a healthy ecosystem that benefits both your flowers and the local wildlife.
Companion planting is a practice used in vegetable gardens to create a more mutually beneficial environment for your plants. Companion species (such as basil, cilantro, dill, fennel, and parsley) help draw and hold pollinators in the garden in addition to drawing in the natural enemies of garden pests. This document: https://ag.umass.edu/home-lawn-garden/fact-sheets/companion-planting-in-vegetable-garden gives the classic example that comes to mind of marigolds sown in and around vegetable crops such as tomatoes as a pest deterrent. Studies have revealed that the biochemicals produced by the roots of French and African marigolds, after growing as a cover crop and then tilling into the soil, are toxic to tiny worm-like creatures called root nematodes, which can kill plants or lower yields. This site elaborates on reasons and techniques for garden diversity: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/fact-sheets/adding-diversity-garden/#:~:text=A%20classic%20example%20of%20this,large%20squash%20leaves%20suppressing%20weeds.
This article is about the importance of choosing native plants, specifically in the mid-Atlantic region, to support pollinators and biodiversity. It emphasizes the connection between native plants and the survival of flora and fauna, and discusses the benefits of native plants in creating habitats for pollinators and other wildlife. The article also offers suggestions on how individuals can contribute to restoring biodiversity by planting native species. https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/priority-landscapes/chesapeake-bay/native-plants-garden-guide/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkqDyw4-LhwMVeUP_AR3FFwqoEAAYASAAEgK2lPD_BwE
