A key to a more successful vegetable garden is keeping your plants happy. Happy plants are well watered, weeded, fertilized and generally well tended. However, keeping vegetables at their peak happiness also means knowing who their friends are.

I know that sounds strange to think that vegetables have friends, but it is the truth. The results of accurate companion planting are proof of this fact. Companion planting is simply planting your vegetables next to vegetables that they are compatible with. You may ask what the point is. Well, let me explain.

Tomatoes and marigolds are very good friends. This is because tomatoes have natural enemies in the aphid family. Aphids hate the smell of marigolds, and marigolds attract insects that are natural predators of aphids. This is a one sided relationship because tomatoes do nothing to help marigolds, but planting marigolds by your tomatoes will make for healthier and better producing tomato plants.

Some herbs can enhance the flavor of vegetables that they are planted next to, such as basil and tomatoes. Other plants release nitrogen and other natural ingredients into the soil that can help vegetables that are planted in close proximity, such as beans and carrots. Companion planting can be very helpful to people attempting organic gardening. Since organic gardening relies on natural methods of weed and pest control, companion planting can help maintain a healthy and well tended garden.

Planting some herbs, like basil, in containers and setting them on your patio can help reduce fly and mosquito problems. Pest control, weed control, fertilization, protection and flavor enhancement are a handful of the ways that companion planting can be beneficial to your garden. If you are interested in learning more information and viewing a detailed companion planting chart, check out the companion planting chart on Wikipedia.

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