Pest Control

• Some plants exude chemicals that repel insects, and this can benefit nearby plants that lack such natural protection. For example, garlic deters aphids, carrot root fly and snails. Plant garlic near your roses to protect them from aphids. Garlic can also repel snails from your vegetable garden or landscaping.
  
  Geraniums repel Japanese beetles and cabbage worms. Plant them by corn, peppers, tomatoes and grapes for help fight these pests. Plant horseradish next to potatoes to deter potato bugs. Lavender nourishes beneficial insects, while repelling whitefly. Plant it under fruit trees to keep moths away. For a complete listing, see the Resource section.
  
  

Plant Friends

• Some plants prefer the companionship of others. If you plant them together, they will thrive. The lettuce companion group includes beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, onions, radishes and strawberries. Plant sweet marjoram with other herbs and vegetables to enrich their flavor. Tomatoes love basil, beans, celery, chives, lettuce and peppers.
  
  

Natural Fertilizer

• Some crops deposit nutrients in the soil that will benefit other vegetables planted later. Clover has been known as the "green manure." The nutrients it leaves behind make it unnecessary to add other fertilizers for the next crop; for example, clover is beneficial to grapes when you plant it beneath the vines. Clover also deters cabbage aphids and cabbage worms.
  
  Plant peas and beans to add nitrogen to your soil. With these two vegetables, you won't have to wait until the following year to reap the benefit. Other crops you grow near by will receive the nitrogen from the peas and beans as they grow together.