Plant Buddies, Companion Planting - Australia

1. Climate Change Interactive Garden
21. Plant Buddies
What is companion planting?
Companion planting combines plants that benefit each other in the garden. It has been traditionally used to
combat pests and diseases but plants can also provide each other with nutrients, shading or physical
structure.
How do I use companion planting?
When planning your garden, consult your companion planting guide, which can be found in your Garden
Information Manual. It lists companion plants for many vegetables and herbs. The best way to discover which
plant goes well together is through research, observation and experimentation. If you notice certain
vegetables grow well with each other, make a record of it and continue to plant them together.
Are there bad companion plants?
Just as plants can benefit one another, they can also be harmful or inhibit growth of other vegetables and
plants. Keep a record of any bad companion plants so that, in the future, you know which plants to avoid
using together.
The Three Sisters
In the north east of America, the Iroquois Indians have used companion planting for a long time. They planted
a combination of corn, beans and squash, which came to be known as the “Three Sisters”. The plants provide
nutrients and /or physical elements that benefit each other. The corn provides a structure upon which the
beans grow, whilst the squash covers the soil, helping control weeds and conserve moisture in the soil. The
beans “fix” nitrogen from the air into a form that plants can use - and corn loves nitrogen!
References
Woodward, P. 2001. Pest Repellent Plants - Hyland House Publishing,
Australia.
Helpful Websites
http://www.sgaonline.org.au/info_companion_planting.html
www.kidsgardening.com
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