- 1). Study each plant to learn it's positive and negative characteristics. Write each plant name on a slip of paper along with these characteristics. Pay particular attention to the root depth of each plant along with the height, growth habits, whether the plants release substances in the soil and which plants are closely related.
- 2). Arrange each slip of paper on the table in a semblance of your garden. Move slips of paper with the names of plants that complement one another near each other. Move slips of paper for related plants as far away from one another as possible.
- 3). Place plants that have different root depths and harvest times close together. These plants will not compete with one another for space or light. For example, carrots and radishes can be planted closely together because the radishes will be harvested by the time the carrots reach the juvenile stage. Tall summer plants may be planted closely to short winter plants to provide shade and cool in the heat of summer and extend their growing season into fall and winter. For example, corn or sunflowers may be planted in between lettuce plants.
- 4). Avoid planting closely related plants together. For example, tomatoes and potatoes are so closely related that they can pass diseases back and forth. Dill and fennel will crossbreed to produce an unappetizing offspring plant. Instead select plants to grow closely together that can benefit from one another. Planting tomatoes near garlic, basil and marigolds will benefit the tomato plants. Marigolds drive away nematodes in the soil that contribute to root rot nematode. Garlic and basil keep pests such as Japanese beetles away.
- 5). Plant trap crops nearby to help keep insects out of a garden as well as attracting crops that will pull beneficial insects into a garden. Dill and parsley will attract caterpillars and pull them away from vegetable plants. Dill planted near cabbages also attracts predatory insects that feed on cabbage worms.
- 6). Transfer your garden plan to a piece of paper once it has been finalized.
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