Nursery Stock
Companion plants
Companion Plants (permaculture guilds, IPM, and nutrient cycling)
What are Companion plants and why use them?
Companion planting is a key strategy in permaculture gardening, which involves planting different species of plants together in a way that enhances their mutual health, productivity, and sustainability. Here are some of the benefits of companion planting in a permaculture guild:
Nutrient cycling: Companion plants can help to cycle nutrients in the soil. For example, nitrogen-fixing plants like legumes can add nitrogen to the soil, which benefits neighboring plants that require it.
Pest control: Some plants produce natural chemicals that repel or deter pests, while others attract beneficial insects that prey on pests. By planting complementary species together, the guild can naturally control pests without the use of synthetic pesticides.
Soil health: Some plants have deep roots that break up compacted soil and improve drainage, while others have shallow roots that stabilize the soil surface and prevent erosion. By planting a diversity of species with different root systems, the guild can improve soil structure and health.
Increased productivity: By selecting complementary plants that have different growth habits and nutritional needs, a permaculture guild can increase the productivity of the available growing space. For example, a fast-growing vining plant like beans can be planted next to a taller plant like corn, which provides support for the beans while also providing shade to the corn's roots.
Biodiversity: By planting a diversity of plant species together, a permaculture guild can support a wide range of beneficial organisms, including insects, birds, and soil microorganisms. This helps to promote a healthy and resilient ecosystem that can better withstand environmental stresses and disturbances.
Overall, companion planting is a powerful tool for permaculture gardeners, allowing them to work with nature to create sustainable and productive ecosystems that benefit both people and the environment.
Partial List of companion plants used in our location (zone 5a) to create guilds
There are many examples of companion plants used in permaculture in cold temperate climates, including:
Comfrey: A deep-rooted herb that accumulates nutrients and is a good source of potassium, calcium, and nitrogen. It is often planted alongside fruit trees, berries, and other perennials.
Borage: An herb with blue flowers that attract pollinators and repels pests. It is often planted alongside tomatoes, squash, and strawberries.
Yarrow: An herb that attracts beneficial insects and improves soil fertility. It is often planted in vegetable gardens and around fruit trees.
Chamomile: An herb that attracts pollinators and repels pests. It is often planted alongside vegetables and fruit trees.
Nasturtium: A flowering plant that attracts beneficial insects and repels pests. It is often planted alongside vegetables and in orchards.
Garlic: A bulbous plant that repels pests and has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is often planted alongside vegetables and in orchards.
Marigold: A flowering plant that repels pests and attracts beneficial insects. It is often planted alongside vegetables and in orchards.
Dill: An herb that attracts beneficial insects and repels pests. It is often planted alongside cucumbers, lettuce, and other vegetables.
Sage: An herb that repels pests and attracts pollinators. It is often planted alongside brassicas, carrots, and other vegetables.
Calendula: A flowering plant that attracts beneficial insects and repels pests. It is often planted in vegetable gardens and around fruit trees.
What is Integrative Pest Management (IPM)?
Integrative Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to pest control that emphasizes the use of a variety of methods to reduce the impact of pests on crops, gardens, and other environments. It involves using knowledge of the pest's life cycle and behavior, as well as non-chemical control methods such as crop rotation, habitat modification, and biological control (such as the use of beneficial insects or nematodes) to minimize the use of chemical pesticides. When chemical control is necessary, IPM advocates for the use of the least toxic and most targeted pesticides and the careful application of those pesticides to minimize harm to the environment and non-target organisms. The goal of IPM is to reduce the overall impact of pests while minimizing the negative effects on the environment and human health.
A partial list of plants used for Integrative Pest Management (IPM) in CNY
There are many plants that can help with integrative pest management in Central New York. Here are some examples:
Dill - attracts beneficial insects that prey on aphids, mites, and other pests.
Marigolds - repel harmful nematodes, beetles, and other insects.
Nasturtiums - attract predatory insects that eat aphids and other pests.
Fennel - attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that feed on pests.
Calendula - repels many insect pests and attracts beneficial insects like bees and parasitic wasps.
Chamomile - repels pests like flying insects and attracts predatory insects like hoverflies.
Chives - repel pests like aphids and attract beneficial insects like bees and hoverflies.
Lavender - repels many insects like fleas, moths, and mosquitoes, and attracts beneficial insects like bees.
Catnip - repels many pests like aphids, squash bugs, and flea beetles.
Sage - repels pests like carrot flies and cabbage moths, and attracts beneficial insects like bees and predatory wasps.
Yarrow - attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs, hoverflies, and predatory wasps, which feed on pests like aphids and caterpillars.
Garlic - repels many pests like aphids, slugs, and snails, and attracts beneficial insects like bees and predatory wasps.
By including these plants in a garden or farm, they can help to reduce the population of harmful pests naturally, leading to a healthier and more sustainable ecosystem.
What’s a Guild commonly used in permaculture (examples in CNY Zone 5a)
In permaculture, a guild is a group of plants, animals, and other organisms that are intentionally arranged in a way that they benefit each other and function as a self-sustaining ecosystem. A guild typically includes a central plant, called a "anchor plant," which serves as the main focus of the guild, and other plants that provide support functions such as fixing nitrogen, attracting pollinators, or repelling pests.
Some examples of guilds in permaculture for cold temperate climates include:
Fruit Tree Guild: A guild that is centered around a fruit tree such as apple, plum, or cherry. It typically includes nitrogen-fixing plants like clover or lupine, pollinator-attracting plants like comfrey or borage, and pest-repelling plants like marigold or dill.
Herb Guild: A guild centered around a perennial herb like thyme, oregano, or sage. It typically includes plants that attract beneficial insects like yarrow or tansy, nitrogen-fixing plants like white clover, and plants that repel pests like chives or garlic.
Mushroom Guild: A guild that includes mushroom logs or beds surrounded by plants that provide shade and moisture like comfrey, ferns, or hostas. The mushrooms help break down organic matter and improve soil health.
Three Sisters Guild: A guild that is centered around the Native American "Three Sisters" planting combination of corn, beans, and squash. The corn provides support for the beans, which fix nitrogen in the soil, and the squash provides ground cover and helps retain moisture.
Chicken Guild: A guild centered around a chicken coop, which provides fertilizer and pest control. The guild includes plants like comfrey, which is high in nutrients and attracts beneficial insects, and plants that repel pests like mint or garlic.