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Farmers’ Market

Integrating mathematics to prepare for a Middle School Farmers Market

COMPANION PLANTS

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Background Info

Plants have likes and dislikes too! In fact, there are certain ones they prefer over others. By planting them with their “friends”, there is a better chance of creating a more compatible growing environment for the plants to flourish!

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There are four benefits to companion planting!

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  • Crop Protection – some plants are able to take harsher weather conditions, where some plants are more sensitive. Planting tough plants can act as a natural barrier against more unfavourable conditions (Heeman).

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  • Limiting Risk – Uncontrollable factors, such as weather and temperature can impact production. Minimizing external risks and challenges can help yield a higher production.

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  • Positive Hosting – Certain insects and pests love certain plants! Some plants produce more nectar and pollen, which attracted the wanted insects. These are the ones that can keep the harmful pests away!

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  • Trap Cropping – Good defence is a must for planting! Added protect by planting plants that insects hate beside the ones they love.

Source:Beginner's Guide to Companion Planting. Heeman’s. https://heeman.ca/garden-guides/companion-planting/

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Charts of some plants that like and don’t like to be planted near each other.

Vegetable/ Fruit

Likes to grow with

Doesn’t like to grow with

Beans

Carrots, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Marigolds, Corn

Chives, Leeks, Garlic

Carrots

Beans, Lettuce, Peas,

Tomatoes, Onions

Chives, Dill, Parsnip

Cucumbers

Pea, Lettuce, Celery

Cauliflower, Potatoes, Basil

Garlic

Cucumbers, Lettuce

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Lettuce

Carrots, Radish, Strawberries, Beets

Beans, Parsley

Onions

Broccoli, Cabbage, Lettuce, Tomatoes

Beans, Peas

Strawberries

Beans, Borage, Garlic, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Spinach, Thyme

Brassicas, Fennel, Kohlrabi

Source:Beginner's Guide to Companion Planting. Heeman. https://heeman.ca/garden-guides/companion-planting/

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Scenario #4: You have an assortment of strawberries, carrots, beans, onions and lettuce. How would you organize the garden bed to maximize the number of plants and favourable growth?

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Scenario #5: This garden bed needs to hold 18 bunches of carrots.

How could 18 carrots be distributed evenly? What are the different configurations? Move the carrots to show the solution(s).