Cultural associations in the vegetable garden

Plant diversity, efficient use of space, pest reduction, soil enrichment—the benefits of intercropping in the vegetable garden are numerous. Which species should be intercropped in the vegetable garden? Main species Companion species Benefits Corn Beans Climbing beans use corn stalks as vertical support. Beans also fix nitrogen in the soil, which is beneficial for corn growth. Corn Squash Squash creeps along the ground, providing shade and preventing weed growth. Corn can also serve as a natural support for climbing squash. Carrots Onions Carrots repel carrot flies, while onions keep away harmful insects. Their association helps protect the crops from each other. Lettuce Radishes Radishes grow quickly and can be harvested before the lettuce takes over all the space. Radishes also help loosen compacted soil to facilitate lettuce root growth.BasilTomatoesBasil repels pests that attack tomatoes, while tomatoes release a chemical that helps basil grow. The two plants complement each other well.BeansCucumbersPine beans provide vertical support for cucumbers, saving soil space. The leaves of the beans also provide shade for cucumbers in hot weather.MarigoldsRoot vegetablesMarigolds repel pests, such as nematodes, that can damage root vegetables like carrots and potatoes.SpinachStrawberriesSpinach grows quickly and is harvested before strawberries take over all the space. Spinach also provides shade for strawberry roots.PeasPotatoesPeas fix nitrogen in the soil, which is beneficial for potato growth. Potatoes provide vertical support for climbing peas. Chives Carrots Chives repel insect pests that attack carrots. Its strong odor can also mask the scent of carrots, making them less attractive to some pests. French Marigold Tomatoes French marigolds emit a scent that repels many insect pests, including nematodes that attack tomato roots. French marigolds protect tomato plants. Cabbage Celery Celery repels cabbage pests, such as moths and aphids. Planting celery with cabbage can help protect them from each other. Legumes Corn Legumes fix nitrogen in the soil, which is beneficial for corn growth. Corn provides vertical support for climbing legumes. Tomatoes Basil Basil repels some insect pests that can attack tomatoes. Tomatoes Lettuce Lettuces provide shade for the roots of cherry tomatoes and help retain soil moisture. Tomatoes Chives Chives repels insect pests. Peppers Lettuce Lettuces can provide shade for the roots of peppers and help prevent water evaporation from the soil. This table provides an overview of suitable crop combinations for a balcony vegetable garden. Remember to adjust the combinations according to the size of your containers, light exposure, and the specific conditions of your balcony.