🌱 AI Seasonal & Native Companion Planting Guide

What Is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is the practice of growing certain plants together for mutual benefit. Instead of fighting against nature, you work with it—designing plant communities that thrive as a team.

• 🌿 Pest Control: Basil helps deter tomato hornworms; marigolds repel nematodes.
  
  

• 🌱 Soil Health: Beans fix nitrogen, feeding heavy feeders like corn.
  
  

• 🐝 Pollination Boost: Flowers like borage attract pollinators to fruit crops.
  
  

• 🌎 Biodiversity: Diverse plant guilds build healthier, more resilient ecosystems.
  
  

This isn’t gardening folklore—it’s a time-tested strategy supported by permaculture science.

Why Native & Regional Plants Boost Success

Generic companion planting charts often miss one powerful factor: native plants.

• 🌱 Better Adaptation: Native plants thrive in your local soil, rainfall, and climate.
  
  

• 🐝 Pollinator Support: They attract beneficial insects already adapted to your ecosystem.
  
  

• 🌿 Low Maintenance: Less water, fewer fertilizers, less effort.
  
  

• 💚 Ecosystem Balance: Builds true permaculture resilience by supporting biodiversity.
  
  

Example: In the Southwest, mesquite acts as a nitrogen fixer for fruit trees. In the Midwest, echinacea pairs with vegetables while boosting pollinators.

Crop-Specific Companion Planting Examples

Many gardeners search for specific pairings. Here are a few:

• 🍅 Tomatoes → Best companions: basil, onions, carrots. Avoid: corn, potatoes.
  
  

• 🌽 Corn → Best companions: beans, squash (“Three Sisters”). Avoid: tomatoes.
  
  

• 🫘 Beans → Best companions: corn, cucumbers. Avoid: onions, garlic.
  
  

• 🫑 Peppers → Best companions: carrots, onions, basil. Avoid: beans.

Permaculture Principles Behind Companion Planting

Companion planting isn’t random—it’s rooted in permaculture design:

• Zone Planning: Place high-use crops near the home (Zone 1).
  
  

• Guilds: Build “mini-ecosystems” like the apple tree guild (apple tree + comfrey + garlic chives).
  
  

• Stacking Functions: Every plant should serve multiple roles—food, soil, pollination, shade.