Comprehensive companion planting book/guide?

17 years ago

I'm planning on buying the book "Carrots Love Tomatoes" by Louise Riotte about companion planting...not sure what it contains. Before I go ahead and buy it, does anyone have any recommendations for books that explain the intricacies of companion planting and/or has the most complete list of plant pairings and groupings? And also has a list of plants to be avoided planting next to, etc?

In the meanwhile, I'm trying to plant some butternut squash, are there any particular plants I should avoid planting near and does it have any companion plants?

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Comments (9)

shelleyland
17 years ago
My favorite is "Great Garden Companions" by Sally Jean Cunningham!
mad_gardener
17 years ago
Definitely get yourself a copy of "Carrots Love Tomatoes" by Louise Riotte! It's a great book, and I use it all the time!

As to your question, Ms. Riotte recommends planting radishes and nasturtiums with squash. She advises that you let the radishes go to seed. If you're starting your squash plants from seed, she also recommends that you plant the seeds with cigarette ash to help repel squash bugs.

I also recommend that you consider purchasing a copy of "The Complete Compost Gardening Guide: Banner batches, grow heaps, comforter compost, and other amazing techniques for saving time and money, and producing ... most flavorful, nutritous vegetables ever" since composting is good for the environment and good for your garden!

Here is a link that might be useful: The Complete Compost Gardening Guide: Banner batches, grow heaps, comforter compost, and other amazing techniques for saving time and money, and producing ... most flavorful, nutritous vegetables ever.
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takadi
Original Author
17 years ago
Just ordered the book, can't wait for it to come. There are so many rules in companion planting that my head is about to explode.

Beginner's luck had it so that I planted ten rows of corn with tomatoes in between. arggh
piedmontnc
17 years ago
OK folks I need convincing. I've skimmed "Carrots Love Tomatoes" at the bookstore and it was very sparse. Do more detailed books exist? With Riotte's book I felt like was looking at tables and charts with little to no explanation of why.
momma_s
17 years ago
I'm going to *bump* this one to see if piedmontnc (post directly above) gets an answer to his/her question. I'm curious too...
gardener_mary
17 years ago
I found a site that I like, maybe you will find it useful.

Good gardening, Mary

Here is a link that might be useful: companion planting
darkempressoftheunderworld_yahoo_co
15 years ago
If you are thinking of buying 'Carrots Love Tomatoes' please at least read the reviews on it on Amazon.com. The people who left bad reviews know their stuff and most of the people who wrote good reviews are super new gardeners. I must point out that the title is a glaring misconception at first glance, carrots DETEST tomatoes! Tomatoes on the other hand are the crop that benifits from carrots. Tomatoes feed from the carrots and the poor carrots are stunted, but taste fine. The tomatoes are all the better for it!

Here is a link that might be useful: Carrots Love Tomatoes - Amazon.com Reviews
darkempressoftheunderworld_yahoo_co
15 years ago
The information I have used the most is right here on the internet, good ol' Wikipedia!

Here is a link that might be useful: Wikipedia Companion Planting Chart
morbidan
15 years ago
I just wanted to mention that there are several contradictions on the Wikipedia link posted above. It's good to have several sources to confirm info since any random person can add to the article. Happy Gardening!