These dynamic garden partners work in tandem to repel pests and draw pollinator to increase your squash return .
From acorn squash to courgette , you ’ve got lot of crush plant to pick out from when plan out your garden . These plants tend to be very fertile , butsquash can often shin to fruitdue to a want of pollination , and they can become infested with pest like squash bugs . One easy fashion to prevent both of these issuance is by planting squashcompanion plant . Doing so can boost the health of crush vine and serve you get armloads of freshsummer squashandwinter squashfor your table .
Corn
Companion planting squash withcornis part of a traditional plant partnership known as the “ Three Sisters , ” which was first developed by the peoples of the First Nations . In this works pairing , maize bring home the bacon extra shade for squash industrial plant and , in turn , squash folio work as a living mulch for the corn , sheltering the soil andpreventing dope from fawn in . In the Three Sisters method acting , wintertime squash is most normally grown with corn ; however , summertime squash will also influence and smaller vining squash plant may be able to use cornstalk as a natural treillage .
Beans and Peas
Better Homes and Gardens
Pole beans are the “ other sister ” in the Three Sisters method acting and they are frequently grown with corn and squash due to their nitrogen - fixing ability . When tilled into the territory , bothbeansandpeascan improve the dirt quality and increase the amount of nitrogen in your garden , which set need for healthy development . Even better , beans and peas can use the same trellising system as rise squash plants , saving space in your garden and helping you get more use out of your trellises .
After the vines develop smuggler , side dress with an additional 3 - 4 tablespoons of nitrogen fertilizer .
Credit: Janet Mesic-Mackie
Sunflowers
Bob Stefko
Like corn , sunflowersprovide extra tint in the garden and shelter squelch leaves and fruit from the harsh summer sunshine . pocket-sized squash varieties may also be able to apply sunflowers for trellising , while prickly squash stem help discourage raccoons from gobbling up your sunflower seed . Squashcompanion flora , such as sunflower , are also some of the topplants to maturate for pollinator . plant them as plant partners will ensure your squash blossoms always get pollinated .
Marjoram
Squash bugsare often found congregating on squash leaves and fruit . After invading , squash bugs get down to suck the succus from garden works and leave stipple rule on plant leaves do vines to wilt and collapse . As annihilating as these pests can be , familiar planting crush with winter sweet deters squelch bug from encroach upon and will facilitate keep your garden cuss - free .
Dill
implant dill weed around your squash and other vegetables can attract predatory wasps to your garden that will feed on a full orbit of insects . to boot , dill is an all important emcee flora for morning coat butterflies , which can boost the pollination charge per unit of your squash blossoms .
Dill ’s hard fragrance assist repel squash bugs andother pests . Pair it with marigold for add together auspices against squeeze bug invasions .
Radishes
When planning your garden , deliberate crush companion plants that maximise infinite . Radishesare vigorous plants that can be glean in just 21 days . Interplanting squash with daikon will put the empty soil beneath mash vines to full use . love an early , tasty harvesting of fresh veggies while your squash industrial plant ripen . radish act as an in force sand trap crop for flea mallet and can also help deoxidise crush vine borer populations when used as a companion flora .
Trap cropping involves planting highly attractive plants around the perimeter of a garden or field of force to lure pestilence away from the main crop , making them loose to control withinsecticidesor other method .
Mint
Many dissimilar pest detest the odor ofmint plantsand growing it in your garden can beat back insects like flea beetle and squash bugs . cervid and rodent also do n’t like mint ’s saucy fragrance , so if deer frequent your garden or you notice burrow holes from reason squirrels , you may want to plant some pot . However , mint grows fantastically vigorously and can overwhelm out slower - growing plants . To foreclose this , farm mint in pots around your garden and on a regular basis check for runners escaping through the drainage kettle of fish .
Borage
Rob Cardillo
Squash plant life trust on worm pollinators to fruit , but when pollinators are absent , squash vines will often make flowers but no fruit . One direction to repair this is to increase pollinator activity in your garden by turn bloom that bee and other beneficial insects ca n’t resist . Borageflowers are favorites among bees , and growing these plant near your squash can boost your squash harvest . Borago officinalis flora also have charming , edible flowersand leaves , which make colorful salad topper and garnishes , too .
Garlic
Squash companion plants likegarlicand other genus Allium plants emit a substantial scent that repel gadfly , from squeeze bugs to aphids and cervid . Just remember that garlic is generally planted in the autumn and harvested the following summer , so plan ahead .
pick out the rightgarlicvariety for your climate : softneck for milder climates or hardneck for dusty regions .
Companion planting for squash plants offers multiple benefits , includingenhanced territory health , maximized garden infinite , and may even ameliorate the flavor , thanks to a healthy crop . Plus , it creates a more constitutive and resilient garden ecosystem .
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
Drost , Daniel ; Heflebower , Rick . “How to produce Summer and Winter Squash in Your Garden . ”Utah State University Extension . 2020 .
“ Pest : Squash hemipterous insect . ”Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center .
DeJong D.“Companion planting : Effects of radishes on squash bug . “DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln . 2017 . access August 2 , 2024 .
Credit:Better Homes and Gardens
“ Trap cropping : A wide-eyed , effective , and low-priced Integrated Pest Management strategy to control squash microbe and squash vine borers . ”Integrated Pest Management Univeristy of Missouri . 2017 .
Credit:Bob Stefko
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Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Marty Baldwin
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Credit:Rob Cardillo
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