Example of Companion Planting

I was dreaming through my The Vegetable Gardener's Bible  today and saw how he seemingly crams various types of veggies into his raised garden beds.  He uses companion planting, also, and it inspired me to think "outside the box" in garden planning.  Here are two of my ideas!  


Pallet Bed 1:


Fiskeby Soybeans
Listada de Gandia Eggplant
Corn (haven't finalized which type)


I will start by planting three eggplants in the front row (staggered a bit to allow some room).  Then I will plant two rows of three corn stalks behind them.  The soybeans will be interplanted among the corn.  Beans fix nitrogen in the soil and corn is a heavy nitrogen feeder so they are a perfect combo.  The corn also gives the beans something to climb up.  Eggplants grow good with a variety of plants.


Pallet Bed 2:


Early Fortune Cucumber
Tiger's Eye Beans
Corn


The cucumber already has a trellis attached to the bed so they will be planted in the back underneath it.  I will only plant two at a time (do succession planting) since we found out last summer that five plants was way too many!  I will then plant three rows of three corn stalks each.  The beans will be planted in amongst the corn.  These beans are bush beans yet have a few tendrils that grow up and need something to attach to.  The corn ought to be perfect!  The corn stalks will also make a great trellis for those stubborn cucumber vines that refuse to attach to the wooden trellis.  According to Carrots Love Tomatoes, cucumbers keep raccoons away from corn and the corn may keep Wilt away from the cucumbers.  Sounds great to me so I'm going to give it a try!  


Let me know what you think and if you have tried any of this before.

Companion Gardening

Have you ever heard of companion gardening?  I've been reading about it in my older copy of Carrots Love Tomatoes and it is very interesting!  I am hoping to employ some of these gems in hopes of keeping those pesky insects away this year!  


Some of the coolest ideas so far:

• Bush green beans help cucumbers grow better
• Basil helps keep pests off of tomatoes
• Horseradish grown near potatoes helps them grow healthier (just dig horseradish up each fall since it is a prolific spreader)
• Marigolds can repel nematodes for up to three years.  The protection is there even if the marigolds haven't been there for a few years!
• Corn makes a great trellis for cucumbers which also helps to keep away raccoons.  It aids in anchoring corn during strong winds.  Corn benefits cucumbers by seeming to keep wilt away.

I hope to compile a list once I'm done of the most relevant info (to me) in the next few days.  I love the idea of doing natural pest control and no pesticides! 

Have you done any companion planting?  I'd love to hear what works and doesn't.  Please comment and share your experiences!