Companion Planting Throughout the Landscaping

Companion planting has been a gardening technique long before most of us were even aware of the term. Just think of the classic Native American "3 Sisters" planting of corn, pole beans and squash: the corn staked the beans, the squash provided a living mulch and its scratchy leaves deterred animal pests and the beans fixed nitrogen in the soil. About.com's Guide to Landscaping reminds us that companion planting, combining plants that provide benefits to one another, isn't restricted to the vegetable garden. You can employ the same techniques throughout your yard. You'll have nicer roses and a great vegetable garden!

Photo: © Marie Iannotti (2008) licensed to About.com, Inc.