• Home
  • Meet Mary Schier
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Contact
  • Northern Gardener Book

My Northern Garden

March 1, 2021 · 5 Comments

Plant Partners: Book Review and Giveaway

Books/Writing

The latest Grow it, Minnesota podcast episode is an interview with Michelle Bruhn of Forks in the Dirt. Michelle is a gardener, chicken keeper, blogger and local food advocate. She runs classes on gardening and consults with home gardeners about vegetable garden design. She’s someone who enjoys experimentation and has played around with companion planting in her own yard. Which gets us to Plant Partners (Storey Publishing, 2020)

Plant Partners is a new book by horticulturist and author Jessica Walliser. In it, she talks about the science behind companion planting—why some things work and why some companion planting advice may be more myth than science. This is a terrific book for the enthusiastic vegetable gardener and those who want to know the WHY??? behind things we do in the garden.

What is Companion Planting?

Companion planting isn’t about magical combinations of plants but rather how plants are interconnected and how plants support each other by providing various functions. For instance, plants can improve the soil for other plants, by decomposing or adding nitrogen to the soil. Michelle and I talked about cover cropping during our interview. Late each season, she plants a cover crop mix over her vegetable beds. The mix grows for six or so weeks, adding nitrogen to the soil, then it dies when the temperatures drop. In spring, Michelle pushes the matted plant debris aside and places her seedlings in the garden. The cover crop not only nourishes her soil, but it acts as a weed barrier or mulch in spring. Using plants as mulches may even prevent disease by reducing splashing when plants are watered, which is one of the main ways soil-borne disease spread to plants.

Improving the soil and providing weed management are two of the benefits of using companion planting, according to Jessica’s book. Another use is providing support and structure. In the classic three-sisters garden, for example, the corn is a trellis for the beans to climb. Companion plants can also act as lures or traps for unwanted pests or to mask the presence of host plants. For instance, nasturtiums planted near summer squash have been shown to reduce damage from squash bugs. In some cases, the companions provide a scent that confuses the pest insect.

A bee covered with pollen is nestled in the flower of a squash plant.
I had lots of pollination of my squash last summer. Dill, native plants and nasturtiums were all planted nearby, creating a diverse and lively environment.

Of course, one of the main benefits of planting flowers near vegetables is that it brings in pollinators that pollinate our vegetable crops. I’ve found that since I planted an insectary near my vegetable garden boxes, the variety and number of all kinds of bees, wasps and other insects have increased. And, my vegetable garden is more productive.

I’m Giving Away a Book

This is such a great book that I’d like to give a copy to a reader or listener. To be entered in the Plant Partners giveaway, just leave a comment here or on my Instagram page or the Grow it, Minnesota Facebook page. On March 10, I’ll randomly pick a winner.

Before that, though, be sure to listen to my interview with Michelle. It’s a good one!

Related posts:

  1. Deer-Resistant Design: Book Review and Giveaway Every experienced gardener has heard the truth about deer. First,...
  2. Book Review: Keeping Vegetable Gardeners on Track If growing more vegetables is one of your New Year’s...
  3. Book Review: The Naturescaping Workbook A Gardener’s Reading, 28 of 30. By Beth O’Donnell Young...
« Winter Sowing for Flowers and Vegetables
7 Easy Annuals to Grow from Seed »

Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    March 1, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    I’d love to be considered. This looks fantastic!

  2. Annemieke van der Werff says

    March 1, 2021 at 4:25 pm

    Great post Mary! Can’t wait to get going this season and curious about “Plant Partners”!
    We are expanding our vegetable growing space this year and very keen to learn more about companion planting‍

  3. Rex says

    March 4, 2021 at 7:50 pm

    Thanks for this great book review. Stumbled across your site and enjoyed your article about insectaries. This is a new concept for me and I’m excited to put it into practice! This book looks like a great resource.

  4. Chuck says

    March 6, 2021 at 11:14 pm

    I’ve got to read this book! Thanks for the interview with Jessica!

  5. Connie Davey says

    March 6, 2022 at 3:23 pm

    This book sounds wonderful – so much to try out just from the article – I am sure lots more in the book. Thanks for giving one away. Connie

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Connect

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed for Posts

Grow it, Minnesota Podcast

Now Available!

My Northern Garden book

Follow on Instagram

mynortherngarden_mary

Glass and gardens, you bet! We’re heading home Glass and gardens, you bet! We’re heading  home after spending a few weeks in Sarasota, Florida. A highlight of our time there was seeing the Tiffany exhibit at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. It was creative and fun and the plant-themed art glass really did shine a light on this tropical garden. So worth a visit if you’re ever in the area!
.
.
.
#sarasota #tropicalgardens #gardensofinstagram #artingardens #mngardenwriter #gardentravel #snowbird
Has your garden been transformed in the last year Has your garden been transformed in the last year or two? I'd love to see it! I'm back to editing Northern Gardener for a bit and one of the new features in the magazine highlights garden or yard transformations. We need help finding some great ones!

The spring issue "Before and After" features a vegetable garden created out of a blank backyard in Bloomington, MN. The homeowner worked with Rustic Hills Garden Co. to add raised beds, fencing, paths and trellises. It's incredibly productive and really nice looking, too! 

I'm looking for more transformations to feature in upcoming issues. They can be DIY or something you worked on with a garden pro. The goal is to give our readers ideas and inspiration. 

Send me a DM with details. Don't worry about writing the piece yourself. We've got a bunch of great writers available to help with that. But you need to have photos of both before and after. I can't wait to see your gardens! 

PC: @rustichillsgardenco 

#coldclimategardens #gardendiy #gardentransformation #beforeandafter #showmeyourgarden
Are you trying winter sowing this year? Now is a g Are you trying winter sowing this year? Now is a good time to sow perennials. Winter sowing is a way to get more plants at less cost by sowing seeds outdoors in mini-greenhouses in winter. The best greenhouse is a one-gallon milk jug. (Edit: leave the caps off! This was my first attempt at winter sowing and I did it wrong. The podcast episode explains why.) 

For advice on how to do it from an expert, check out a podcast episode from 2021 where Michelle Mero Riedel explains her process. Great info! Link in bio and in stories. #wintersowing #mnpodcast #mngardening
#gardenpodcast
#growyourownflowers
What’s new in 2023? My winter break in Florida c What’s new in 2023? My winter break in Florida coincided with the Tropical Plant International Expo so I had to attend. Research! So many cool houseplants. And pots! And roses with scent. And new ideas about everything from pest control to house plants as decor and gifts. Enjoy! 
.
.
.
#tpie #tpie2023 #houseplants #gardentrends
When you’re up to your knees in new snow, it’s When you’re up to your knees in new snow, it’s time to dig out your lists of favorite plants and start planning ✍️ this year’s garden.

My January newsletter includes lists of best annuals for pollinators (of course zinnias are on the list), best herbs for beginners and a link to a slightly older blog post about best trees for urban gardens in our current and future climate. Check it out and start making your own list of go-to plants! 

Link to the newsletter is in bio and stories. Please subscribe for occasional tips for Northern gardeners. 
.
.
.
#gardeningtips #annualflowers #pollinatorfriendly #urbantrees
2022 — uff-da — what a year! A few photos al 2022 — uff-da — what a year! 

A few photos all reeled together that mostly weren’t on instagram. Wishing you all a Happy New Year and a bloom-filled, homegrown 2023. 

Highlights include: Garden shots from Florida, England, my home garden, St. Cloud and Washington County, Minnesota, plus the Minnesota State Fair dahlia garden. Steve and I at Hadrian’s wall, then being escorted off the cruise ship after we got Covid (do NOT recommend!), harvest dinner at my brother’s farm in Wisconsin, my friend, Julie’s, indoor ripening set up for the Aleppo peppers she helped me trial, a bit of garden philosophy and @resawithoutherspoon’s amazing Christmas cookies. 
.
.
.
#gardenforlife #gardenyear #mynortherngarden #zone4gardening #happynewyear
Poinsettias are nice but kind of tough to keep goi Poinsettias are nice but kind of tough to keep going with the heat running 24/7. So how about some holiday plants that are not poinsettias. Norfolk Island pine, rosemary, paperwhites, amaryllis or any houseplant with red veining add that holiday cheer and are easier to keep alive or are not meant to last, so no need for guilt when they are gone. 

I have a post over on the @mnhort website with info about great holiday plant gifts that are NOT poinsettias. Link in bio and stories. 
.
.
.
#holidaydecor #holidayhouseplants #amaryllis #norfolkislandpine #paperwhites
My new favorite holiday plant is lemon cypress. Co My new favorite holiday plant is lemon cypress. Cool color. Interesting form. Not too hard to take care of. Put this on your houseplant must-have list! 
.
.
.
#lemoncypress #holidayhouseplants #houseplantslover #coldclimategardening #mngardener
Extra! Extra! My latest newsletter for cold-climat Extra! Extra! My latest newsletter for cold-climate gardeners is out. About every six weeks, I send seasonal info on plants and garden tasks plus lots of links to gardening resources, books to read and more. 

The current issue includes a cute idea for a hostess gift for the holidays (pictured), a free download on recommended tomato varieties for northern gardeners and some musings on talking about gardening with folks suffering from dementia (lots of memories grow in the garden!) It's free, not too long and only comes out once in a while. 

Link to the current issue in bio plus stories. 
Pix: the hostess gift, my mom's amazing blue hydrangeas, one of the recommended tomato varieties (can you guess which one?) 
.
.
.
#holidaydecor #coldclimategardening #mngardening #besttomatoesever #gardeninspo
Happy Birthday to my book! It was five years ago t Happy Birthday to my book! It was five years ago today that the Minnesota Historical Society Press published The Northern Gardener: From Apples to Zinnias. 

The book is about 85 percent how-to for gardeners in USDA Zones 3 and 4 and 15 percent history of organized horticulture in Minnesota. It's still available and selling. It's always a thrill when gardeners tell me that they read the book and it helped them. That's why garden writers write garden books (believe me, it isn't the money!). 

If you are looking for a gift for a northern gardener in your life, this might be an option. It's widely available and because it's been around awhile, it's frequently discounted. 

Photos include two of my favorite sections of the book -- one on martagon lilies (more gardeners should grow them) and one on buckthorn, which gardeners used to love (hence they photographed their families near the shrub) and is now a terror in the woods here. We're always learning.
.
.
.
#mnhspress #mybook #gardenreading #thenortherngardener #mngardening #mnhort
So much growth in 5 weeks! This scented geranium h So much growth in 5 weeks! This scented geranium has put on a lot of foliage and the reason must be the light in my new sunroom. It gets east, south and north light. Even in November when we are pretty dark in Minnesota, it’s doing fine. Great plant that I picked up for $1 at the @hennepin.extension.gardeners sale in October. #happyhouseplants #scentedgeranium #attarofroses #sunroom #houseplantsofinstagram #northerngarden
Is it too early to think about decorating for the Is it too early to think about decorating for the holidays? Nah! I checked out the ideas at @shopbachmans Holiday Inspiration nights this week. Looks like sparkles and an updated Mad Men vibe is trending this holiday season. Love it!  #holidayporchdecor #holidayideas #notanad #sparkle #bachmansideahouse #christmasdecor
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Top Posts & Pages

  • How to Pollinate a Meyer Lemon Tree
  • Growing Lilies in Containers
  • How to Build a Vegetable Garden Box for Your Deck
  • How to Grow Lemons in the North (Plus a Recipe)
  • Mushrooms Growing in Straw Bales
  • Big Changes in Minnesota Hardiness Zone Map
  • Winter Sowing for Flowers and Vegetables
  • Will the Redbuds Bloom?
  • 7 Easy Annuals to Grow from Seed
  • How to Use the Winter Sowing Method to Start Seeds Outdoors

Post Categories

  • Books/Writing
  • Climate
  • How to
  • Plants
  • Recipes
  • Uncategorized
  • Why We Garden

Copyright © 2023 · captivating theme by Restored 316