Back to articles

Growing With Symbiotic Relationships

Shutterstock 1978515422

maximize your growing space by leveraging natural interactions

Here at TC Control Group, we want you to grow at your maximum capability. We also want you to have a happy and healthy growing environment; and what better way to do so than fostering natural relationships to create a booming ecosystem where your plants will thrive? To do so, you can encourage symbiotic relationships between your crops, insects, animals, and other plants.

What is a symbiotic relationship?

A symbiotic relationship is when two organisms form a relationship that provides benefits to one or both of them. This article focuses on relationships that will maximize your plants’ happiness and healthiness. You can physically introduce these organisms to your crops, or encourage them to move in on their own. Either way, don’t take these critters’ presence for granted!

Insects

It’s impossible to grow plants without insects tagging along, so why not make the most of their inevitable presence? Insects are essential to the pollination process that fruits and vegetables require, plus they provide pest control by preying on the bad bugs that you don’t want.

Insects such as ladybugs, spiders, and ground beetles will prey on harmful bugs like aphids and mites. Insects are also crucial for pollination, especially for indoor growing. Bees are a surefire way to ensure pollination, and many farmers partake in beekeeping for that very purpose. Plus, if you keep honeybees, you can harvest and sell the honey that they produce.

Reptiles

Rather than panicking and calling animal control if you see a reptile in your garden, encourage them to stay! As long as they aren’t venomous or posing any threat to you, reptiles offer many benefits to the plants in your garden. They prey on common pests such as rodents and insects, and they also provide fertilization due to the high amount of nitrogen in their excrement.

Garter snakes are common inhabitants of gardens across the US, so don't be surprised if they pay you a visit, too. Snakes will eradicate any rodents, including mice and shrews. Frogs and toads are also great growing companions, as they eat a wide variety of insects and will keep the bug population under control. Additionally, the presence of frogs and toads in your garden indicates a clean and healthy environment—so if they want to make their home in your crops, take it as a compliment!

Companion Plants

You've probably heard of the three sisters—corn, squash, and beans—and how they grow well together. The three sisters are a great example of companion plants. Utilizing companion plants, which are plants that improve each other's growing conditions, makes the best use of your space. You can grow crops with each other, with flowers, or with herbs to create mutual beneficial relationships for all plants involved without taking up a lot of room.

One plant that is pretty much universally beneficial is basil. Basil’s strong scent repels flies, hornworms, and milkweed bugs, while attracting pollinators and ladybugs. Marigolds are another great companion plant because they repel aphids, beetles, and nematodes. Plus, their flowers attract pollinators—and they're nice to look at! Lastly, carrots grow well with a wide variety of plants, including tomatoes, lettuce, and peas. Because they grow into the soil, they help break it up, allowing nutrients to reach the roots of surrounding plants.

TC Control Group gives you control over your growing environments. Why not expand your control to include fostering natural relationships? Research which insects, reptiles, and companion plants will bring the most benefits to whatever crop you’re growing and implement them today.