Not stopping at the merely theoretical, Walliser explains when an allelopathic partner can be protective, and in which cases it can be counterproductive – and provides examples that can easily be tried out in the home landscape. Support and Structure

Chapter six examines the prospect of managing soilborne diseases using cover crops and living mulches. Allelopathy is how a plant detrimentally affects the germination, growth or survival of another plant. If you’ve heard it’s a good idea to leave the dead growth of your garden annuals over winter as insect habitat, you might wonder when it’s safe – for your bug buddies – to remove this dead material. Walliser has an answer to this question. measurements are still given in feet and inches, but they are infrequent. There is a metric conversion chart at the end of the book. They conclude with “In the absence of formal studies, it is still uncertain whether this opportunity cost is offset by improved pest control.”It really helps to see companion planting in action. In this video, Ben focuses on how to harness the power of flowers to deter pests, attract pollinators, and even improve yoursoil. Fungi transfer essential minerals such as nitrogen and phosphorus from decaying organic matter to the plant. They are able to use chemicals (enzymes) to break down substances which plants cannot use unaided, such as cellulose, thus making more nutrients available to the plant. The countless hyphae extending from the plant’s roots also increase the overall area of nutrient and water uptake. These fungal threads can be very fine, branching between soil particles, and even exploring the shells of dead insects!

Container Gardening Complete: Creative Projects for Growing Vegetables and Flowers in Small Spaces ” by Jessica WalliserThe effects of mycorrhizas are not limited to the fungus and its host. One of the many ways in which they maintain the health of the soil is by acting as a ‘safety net’, preventing nutrients from being leached away. The overall ecosystem can benefit from higher plant diversity and improved soil structure. Research in temperate forests in the Pacific Northwest of North America has revealed that the networks of mycorrhizas in the forest allow the transfer of significant amounts of carbon between trees, even those of different species. Bush beans tolerate the dapple shade that corn casts and, since their roots occupy different levels in the soil, don’t compete for water andnutrients. Planting brightly coloured flowers near your crops will attract a wide range of insects to the area. More bees visiting your plot will result in more pollination of your vegetable blooms and therefore lead to bigger yields. Attracting ladybirds and lacewings to your crop will also help reduce damage from aphids. The predators will lay their eggs on your crops. These will hatch into larvae which can each eat up to 150 aphids per day. Moreover, while the trees in forests are recognised as an important carbon sink, the fact that mycorrhizas also store large amounts of carbon means that they may have a crucial role to play in dealing with global warming. Examples of mycorrhizas in the Caledonian Forest

Dill attracts beneficial ladybugs, which eat aphids. Dill is also a food source for caterpillars and butterflies. Examples of the Best CompanionPlants Once you start flipping through “Plant Partners,” you’ll likely be drawn in immediately, either by the beautifully designed chapter introductions, the eye-catching photos of happy companion groupings, or the attention-grabbing section titles. While companion planting has a long history among gardeners, it’s a history filled with folklore and conjecture, often at the expense of sound science. Onions benefit from marigolds as the smell of marigolds reduces the egg laying of onion maggot fly. This is a very common problem with companion planting rules. A small part of the full story is used to justify companion planting (i.e. hoverflies like sweet alyssum and eat aphids), and a big part of the story is ignored (extra costs, loss of productive land, introduction of new pests, etc.). A complete scientific study would take all of these factors into account and compare productive yield or value of crops with and without sweet alyssum.Why not start small with a few marigolds and zinnia seeds—and watch the beneficial bugs come! Other options to start with? How about calendula, nasturtium, basil, andborage? First, we explore trap cropping, a technique where a veggie crop is spared pest infestation by luring pests to an even more desirable one. My colleagues and I believe that herbaria should be part of the ongoing movement to decolonize cultural institutions, natural history museums and related scientific practices. Key steps would include: