On Tuesday, July 22, 9:30 a.m., Master Gardener Michelle Crocker will present “Companion Planting: The Why and The Who.” The 30 minute presentation will be given at Henderson County Master Gardener Association’s (HCMGA) Harvest Garden, 3356 State Highway 31 E., Athens, inside the Henderson County Regional Fairpark Complex. This presentation is free and open to the public. Due to limited seating, you may wish to bring a camp chair. The presentation will be given outside, rain or shine, so you may also wish to bring a hat, sunscreen or sunglasses. This is a part of HCMGA’s “Tuesday Tutorials.” 

Almost everyone knows that legumes add nitrogen to the soil and the “three sisters”—corn, beans, and squash—are traditionally planted together because, according to the University of Minnesota Extension, not only do the beans provide nitrogen, corn gives the beans a stalk to climb, and squash supposedly repels animals that eat corn. But what does the research say? Does companion planting actually help? 

Studies are divided on companion planting, mostly because there is so many different types of companion plantings and it is hard to replicate soil, weather, and other factors for repeated experiments. 

However, even though the studies may not be conclusive, they indicate some companion plants are beneficial. For instance, marigolds and nasturtiums reduce squash bugs on zucchini. Tilling marigolds into the ground helps reduce root nematodes. Dill and coriander reduces damage to eggplants by encouraging beneficial insects which will combat the Colorado potato beetle. Studies have also shown the number of syrphid flies are increased when sweet alyssum is present, which results in fewer aphids. 

Additionally, there are some plants which should not be grown together. According to the University of Arizona Extension, beans should not be grown with onion, potatoes should not be grown with sunflowers, and eggplant and fennel should not be grown together. This is because of the chemical makeup of the plant which affects another plant’s growth. 

Come learn more about companion planting. You may plant your vegetable garden differently afterward. 

For more information, call 903-675-6130, email [email protected], or visit txmg.org/hendersonmg.