Companion plants are plants that benefit from being planted near to each other. Benefits can include pest control, encouraging growth, and improved pollination. Cluster planting is the practice of planting in groups rather than evenly spaced rows.
Permaculture recommends large clusters of companion plants usually centered around a tree. Companion cluster planting can increase yields by up to 5–10 times.
A good selection of companions often includes nitrogen fixers, miners (plants with deep tap roots), pest-repelling herbs, and beneficial insect-attracting flowers.
We have an existing apple tree on the property, near the house. We will start our gardening here by adding companions for the apple tree. We have selected plants native to Galicia because native plants support the ecosystem orders-or-magnitude more than non-native plants.
COMPANION PLANTS
- Pest-Controllers: Narcissus cyclamineus (cyclamen-flowered daffodil), Wild garlic/alliums, Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), and Mint.
- Nitrogen-Fixer: White clover.
- Pollinator Attractors: Yarrow, Common Daisy, Common Dandelion, Chamomile.
- Miners: Yarrow, Dandelion, and Comfrey. Comfrey also creates a nutrient-dense mulch (when chopped-and-dropped) that improves soil health.
- Non-native edibles: Basil, Fennel, Lemongrass.
- Plants to Avoid around apple trees: Grasses and other Herbaceous plants, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Peppers, and Black walnut trees.
STEPS:
- Sheet mulch to remove competition by existing weeds and grass. Place cardboard or 3-4 layers of newspaper directly over mowed grass/weeds, then cover with 3-6 inches of organic mulch (wood chips, leaves) to block light. Wet. You can plant right away, but it’s better to sheet mulch 3-6 months before planting.
- Leave a “no-plant” zone directly around the trunk ,12–18 inch (30–46 cm), to prevent moisture buildup and disease.
- Bury Ollas immediately before planting. We are going to experiment with using ollas (self-watering) unglazed pots for watering. Make holes through sheet mulch and bury ollas.
- Plant companions within the canopy area. Make holes through the sheet mulch to plant.
- Mulch: As sheet mulch decomposes, apply compost or wood chip mulch over the area, but keep it away from the trunk itself. Mulch conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, moderates soil temperatures, reduces erosion, protects plant roots, and decomposes to enrich soil health.