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My first raised 5 X 10 Vegtable garden. My father is not here to give me pointers any longer. He was the farmer I am the flower gardener. Which veg. plants grow well next to each other in a Vegtable bed. I want to plant the basic veggies. No corn. Just like tom, squash, pot, pole beans, and some herbs...All help appreciated...
Search this site or google companion planting. You'll get lots of information, some of it scientifically proven, much of it handed down through the generations. Some of it conflicting. It's a great idea to plant in combinations that are favorable to the plants, but don't let it bog you down when planning your first veggie garden. Don't forget to consider which plants will need lots of space (squash, many tomato plants), which ones don't need much (most herbs), and which ones need support/stakes. And don't let your tall plants shade your shorter plants.
The very best book on this subject is Carrots Love Tomatoes (Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening) by Louise Riotte.
I have several shelves of gardening books, but only three books I refer to constantly. Carrots Love Tomatoes is one of them.
Can't recommend it enough.
Tomatoes grow tall, so make sure that you plant them on the side of the garden that is farthest from the sun. That way, the tomatoes won't shade the smaller plants, like lettuce and bush beans. A site you might find useful is http://www.zipharvest.com. They have some designer gardens already plotted out, so you may get some ideas. You can also use their garden maker tool to plot your own garden.
I just want to thank all the great people who replied to my post. Haven't checked in awhile and just wanted to say I checked out the webpages you'll put up and the book ref. Carrots love Tomatoes.
I have the authors other book called "Garlic loves Roses"
Thanks again and I'm started to get a bounty of different veggies.
Question for Saanansandy: What is the reason for not planting dill near tomatoes? I had always heard to scatter dill down your tomatoe row to keep horn worms away. Be looking for your reply. Jim41
Both dill and tomatoes attract hornworms, so in a way, it's good to have the dill because the worms can feast on the dill instead of the tomatoes. On the other hand, since they both attract hornworms, you don't want to grow them together. Once the worms finish with the dill, they'll move onto the tomatoes (or vice versa). I think the idea of companion planting is to plant things that either enhance flavor of the veggies or repel undesired bugs.
I don't want to be negative in any way, but only to give a little context on the three sisters companion planting.
I believe three sisters was done on large, open plots, with thousands of plants. As a result, the reduced yield of the corn, beans, and squash was more than made up for by not having to support the plants.
As you are growing in a 5 x 10 space, having reduced output of your corn (which you said you do not intend to grow anyway), beans, and squash by mixing them together might be a real problem.
Due to fungal and bacterial concerns, I would try to provide at least 2 foot spacing between each tomato plant and any other plants. The tomato varieties you choose will also make a difference. The ones I grow produce large, bushy plants, in the order of 3 feet wide and 6-8 feet tall although I understand in the Northeast, tomato plants generally won't get that large.
Pole beans you can build a trellis for them to climb straight up to save space of course. I've only ever grown bush beans successfully and I was able to pack the plants in on 8 inch centers and get a large crop.
I would definitely figure out the direction of the sun at different times of day and use that to determine the orientation of your plants. You don't want tall plants shading short ones for too much of the day.
I will say potatoes are not generally space efficient. I haven't gotten a large enough yield out of them to really want to continue. I grew a staple variety the first year -- Red Pontiac -- and then the next year grew a bunch of novelty types. It was fun, but I have almost all of my space dedicated to tomatoes now.
I agree with Feldon30, especially on the tomatoes. I cage mine with concrete re=enforcement wire and plant them at least 3 ft. a part. Sometimes that seems awful close. I ran concrete wire down the west side of one of my beds (40 ft. long) over the timbers. Planted running string beans there and also used it to shade my squash from evening sun. Down the middle I caged squash to make them grow up. (Ended the fungus problem we have in our high humity). Down the other side I planted bunch butterbeans. This combo worked great for me. I have been thinking about putting a tractor tire down, cutting out the bead and filling it with compost, setting a pole in the middlle, punching holes in the tire and running twine to the top of the pole and planting running beans in it. Think it will work great guns and be space efficient. We can get the big tires for nothing around where I live. Maybe an idea for some of you guys.
