Peas Don't Mind Onions

The verdict is in.    Peas and onions tolerate each other just fine as companion plants.

If you've been following the tale of the accidental pea/onion companion planting, then you know that I decided to test whether the companion planting charts [see sidebar for links] were right about peas and onions not getting along.

I planted peas in four beds.  In one bed I planted the peas within a few inches of the row of onions.

They grew.   And grew.   And grew.  Those peas are the best, tallest and most prolific peas in the garden.

Not because I planted them so very close to the onions though!   This happened to be the bed where we had last dumped the contents of the chicken coop.   It was the fabulous soil that made the difference.   I believe the onions had no effect at all, one way or the other.

I'm thinking that maybe the 'Don't-plant-peas-with-onions' myth was started by someone who just had bad luck that year and made an assumption.   That assumption got put into print and then it took on a life of its own.   It happens.   

Which is why all claims about companion plants should be taken with a large grain of salt.   It's much more important to focus on good fertile soil than it is too worry about companion plants.   Once your soil is in good shape, then your plants will fight off a lot of diseases and pests on their own and you can start to think about other things to plant with them to help out.....like marigolds with squash to help drive off the multitudes of squash bugs we have here.  

Onions and Peas Planted Together

According to all of the companion plant charts that I've read, peas and onions absolutely should not be planted together.  

So I was bummed when I realized that I had planted a bunch of peas right next to where I had planted some onion starts.   Since half the peas were planted away from onions, I decided to leave them and see if onions and peas really don't get along.

The top pic is peas planted with onions. They're very happy. This pic is peas alone.  Poor sad things.  [Pics taken the very same day.]

Quite a difference.    I think it has nothing to do with the onions and plenty to do with the fact that I put lots of chicken dirt on that top bed.

We'll see about fruiting in a week or so, but so far, I think the taboo against planting peas and onions is bunk. 

Companion Plants, Part 2: Herb Companions

Yesterday I gave you a couple of terrific links to lists of vegetables that grow well together.  Today I've got links that talk about companion planting herbs and vegetables.   Herbs have the added benefit of repelling certain insect pests as well.

If you're a rank beginner, here's a basic list of 11 herbs to help your garden:  http://www.motherearthliving.com/in-the-garden/companion-planting-herbs-to-help-your-garden-grow.aspx#axzz2wyeOtpvv

Here's a list of herbs and the insects they repel.   Read the whole article - but the insect/herb chart is at the bottom: http://www.homeherbgardenanswers.com/cottage-garden-plants/  

I really liked this list of herbs and companions by Darlene Widirstky from http://www.n8ture.com/herbalcompanion.html

Here's a mixed list of herbs and vegetables put out by Wasatch Community Gardens:  http://wasatchgardens.org/files/resource/attachment/Beginning%20Organic%20Gardening%20Resources_1.pdf

And another mixed list of herbs and vegetables put out by Earl May:  https://www.earlmay.com/media/cms/companionplantschart_25D154AE91635.jpg

If you spend some time with this, you'll see that everyone has a slightly different take on it and you may even find some flat out contradictory information.   Don't worry about it.  Just take your best shot and enjoy growing your own food.

Companion Plants, Part 1: Vegetable Companions

I just got some asparagus for a new asparagus bed.   The thing about asparagus is that it's done in the spring and then sort of a 'waste' of space the rest of the garden year, so I've been wondering what I should plant in the bed with it so I can get the best use out of the space all year long.

Which brings up the issue of companion plants.  Some plants do better when planted next to each other and some don't.   But which?   I found these two great charts online while I was researching. 

Both of these charts are excellent and focus only on what vegetables to plant together.  

Mysquarefootgarden: color coded vegetable companion plant guide.  I liked this chart because the colors make it easy to find plants that work well together.

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants.  I know a lot of people roll their eyes at wiki, but this is a real gem.  It's a fantastic list of plants to use together and plants to avoid and most things are referenced with footnotes in case you want verification.  

I'll talk about companion planting with herbs tomorrow.