Great resource for companion planting

books:


	• Great Garden Companions: A Companion-Planting System for a Beautiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden Sally Jean Cunningham Rodale Books, 2000 - 288 pages average customer review:based on 39 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

I don't have this book any more!

So why is it getting 5 stars from me?

It came in, I scanned it, learned that the author mixes her plants in a glorious mess for several reasons--she likes it that way, it cuts down on insect pests, it cuts down on weeds.

Hmmm, that's sounding like a friend of mine's garden. The friend who despairs of ever growing eggplant because of flea beetles--and she loves eggplant. People keep telling her to grow eggplant widely spaced, with nothing between the plants. She'll try it if it gets her eggplants.

Then I saw the picture of the baby eggplant in the first picture section--surrounded by cosmos.

And took the book to her. She nearly squealed when she saw the picture.

I may have to get another copy.

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Full of insights

I got this book to explore ways of managing insect pests without chemicals. It was a good choice. Most of the book discusses the way plants (and animals) interact. I found this far more helpful than the standard 'encyclopedic' gardening book which simply lists individual plant characteristics.

The book is an interesting mix of home-remedies and scientific know-how. Sometimes the prose is a little too optimistic (the author claims 99% of insects are beneficial), but the overall tone encourages an exploratory and confident outlook.

Here are the fundaments of garden health which I found in the book:
1) Bring together a balance of species: plants, insects, birds and animals, in big and small ways
2) Always have some water available of the animal life
3) Always have flowers in bloom since they keep beneficial insects around
4) Keep things changing, rotate planting beds annually

I particularly liked the reference material in the final 100 pages. There are sections on plants and sections on insects, but each refers to the other. For example, in the section on corn, we learn that nasturtiums are good companion plants for corn. Also, we discover that small flowered herbs will attact insects that prey on corn-borer larvae that try to steal the harvest. In the section on corn-earworms, there are lists of natural insect enemies and plants that will host the good guys while they wait for earworm to prey upon.

Finally, the color photos of the authors blended gardens should inspire everyone!

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Great resource for companion planting

I've read quite few books on gardening and companion planting but this one is the best so far. Clear instructions on categories for companions combined with anecdotal information provide a quick, easy to read guide. For those looking for scientific explanations - this is not the book for you. For the everyday home gardener its perfect!

Wonderful Gardening Book

This book is a must have for any gardener!
While I have always enjoyed gardening, it seemed the bugs always ate up my veggies before I could! This book teaches you all about plant "families", and which herbs and flowers are "friends" to the families. It is also very informative on plant diseases,insects, and what nature-friendly things we can do to help.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in companion gardening, organic garden, or just wants to grow something!

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Already covered in dirt

I really enjoy this book.
It is full of good ideas for companions.
Great choice!

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, page 6, 7, 8

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recommendations

Edible Gardens: Growing Vegetables & Fruits, Guides & Resources
Gardening in the West with an emphasis on Edibles
Organic gardening and landscape design
Horticulture, Gardens and Landscape
Gardening Bestsellers,

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