"Horoscope" for gardeners: experts from the Agricultural Production Center of Tatarstan named the ideal neighbors for the garden bed.

      Experts from the branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Center for Assessment of Safety and Quality of Agricultural Products" (FGBU "TsOK APK") in the Republic of Tatarstan shared tips on how to combine vegetables in garden beds to achieve a good harvest.

      DIARY OF A GARDENER When you have stocked up on seeds and are ready to start the gardening season, the equally important stage of planning future plantings begins. Experienced gardeners keep a special diary in which they annually record the planting scheme, taking crop rotation into account. Agronomist experts from the testing laboratory of the branch of the Federal Center for Assessment of Safety and Quality of Agricultural Products (FGBU "TsOK APK") in the Republic of Tatarstan believe that the crop rotation system is often underestimated, considered complicated and unjustified. Meanwhile, applying simple rules for alternating crops leads to a noticeable increase in yield.

      - To account for plantings, it is sufficient to compile a list of vegetables planned for sowing, distribute them across the beds, and in the following season start alternating them considering different botanical families. In place of nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants) and gourds (cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini) in the same bed, you can plant leafy greens (dill, onions, lettuce, spinach) and any types of cabbage family plants, which, in turn, will be good predecessors for all root crops (beets, carrots) and bulbous plants, such as garlic, after which you can confidently sow legumes – peas and beans, – noted the head of the testing laboratory of the branch of FGBU "TsOK APK" in the Republic of Tatarstan, Ilsur Yakupov.

      Experts are confident that crop rotation will yield tangible results even on a small garden plot. Annual crop changes at the planting site will help avoid soil "fatigue," prevent the spread of pests and diseases.

      HOW AND WHY TO "FRIEND" VEGETABLES IN GARDEN BEDS An interesting method of growing vegetables was once proposed by American scientist Mel Bartholomew. In his book "Square Foot Gardening," he described a method of growing in "squares," dividing the bed into square feet – 30 by 30 cm – and alternating different vegetable crops. The effectiveness of such plantings is justified by space savings, high yields, and ease of care.

      Currently, many gardeners have adapted this method to the conditions of their plots and plant crops considering their compatibility.

      The very concept of allelopathy (the proximity of different crops) applies to all living organisms and represents the process of mutual influence between different species. The main acting factor is the chemical substances that plants release through their root systems, leaves, and stems.

      According to experts, combining plants in a single bed is an excellent tool for increasing yield and flavor quality of vegetables due to their mutual influence on each other.

      - A significant advantage is the reduction of weeds, as well as biological protection against pests and diseases. It is enough to recall the folk method of pest control using marigolds: by planting these flowers around the perimeter, gardeners get rid of aphids, whiteflies, Colorado beetles, onion flies, and other insects that harm the harvest. All thanks to thiophenes – substances found in the roots and leaves, and essential oils that repel "flying and crawling" pests, – said Natalia Morsakova, quality manager at the branch of FGBU "TsOK APK" in the Republic of Tatarstan.

      As practice shows, this influence can have both positive and negative consequences, as there are companion plants and antagonist plants in nature.

      DILL IS NOT A FRIEND TO CARROTS When planning a bed, experts from the TsOK APK branch advise considering several important factors.

      First, determine which crop will be the main one, i.e., the one for which companions will be selected. At the same time, it is necessary to calculate the ripening times and growth rates of these crops so that the plants have enough sunlight and moisture, and there is enough space for the root system, so that "neighbors" with shallow root systems and deep roots can "live" side by side.

      We will start selecting companions and undesirable neighbors with the most popular vegetables.

      Potatoes require a good amount of nitrogen in the soil. Good neighbors for them will be leguminous crops – peas, beans, chickpeas, as the nodule bacteria on the roots of these plants release the necessary nitrogen for the vegetable. The tubers will receive enough nutrients, and gardeners will be pleased with the harvest. If onions or garlic grow nearby, they can protect potatoes from late blight – a common fungal disease.

      Tomatoes, when planted with basil, parsley, mint, and thyme, will become tastier due to the action of essential oils and phytoncides. Agronomists advise not to plant dill, fennel, as well as their closest relatives – eggplants, potatoes, and peppers – near this vegetable.

      Like potatoes, cucumbers will be happy to have legumes as neighbors – a source of nitrogen in the soil, and will also get along with lettuce, celery, dill, and beets. However, it is not recommended to combine plantings with tomatoes and potatoes. The taste properties of cucumbers are positively influenced by radishes planted nearby.

      Beets are one of the most undemanding crops in terms of companionship. They easily get along with most vegetables – carrots, radishes, cabbage, onions. However, the yield will be poorer if legumes are nearby.

      The growth of carrots will be positively influenced by lettuce, onions, radishes, radishes, dill, peas, garlic, and spinach. Lettuce and spinach between carrot rows will hinder weed growth and retain enough moisture in the soil for the vegetables, while onions and garlic will repel the enemy – the carrot fly. By the way, carrots will also protect onions from the onion fly in return.

      In the neighbors of cabbage, there can be mint, celery, dill, spinach, and beets. These crops can be placed between the rows so that they do not compete for moisture and sunlight. Garlic and onions will stand guard over the cabbage against pests, such as whiteflies and slugs. Experts note: tomatoes should not be planted near cabbage – they slow down its growth – and parsley, which can negatively affect the formation of heads.

      BIOLOGICAL PROTECTORS The principles of allelopathy also allow avoiding excessive use of chemical preparations for protecting plants from pests and pathogens.

      - Perennial and annual herbs – sage, rosemary, basil, coriander, peppermint, and lemon balm – are usually planted between rows of vegetable crops. For example, near potatoes – to protect against Colorado beetles, near cabbage – to repel whiteflies and cutworms. The phytoncides contained in such plants have a positive effect on the soil, as they suppress the development of pathogenic microorganisms and "feed" the soil with organic acids, – said Ilsur Yakupov, head of the testing laboratory of the branch of FGBU "TsOK APK" in the Republic of Tatarstan.

      Experienced gardeners have long noticed the positive influence of marigolds when planted together with tomatoes and eggplants – the aroma of the flowers repels aphids and protects against fungal diseases, while a small flowerbed of lavender among strawberries or cabbage will repel slugs and snails.