A Few Simple Effective Plant Guilds for Vegetable Production
Companion planting is an effective means to increase yields in limited space and better mimic natural ecologies. Consider the following suggestions for plant buddies:
Brassicae and Allium Guild - broccoli, cabbage, collards, cauliflower, kale, mizuna, mustard greens, radishes, beets, garlic, onions, dill, rosemary, nasturtium, geraniums, chamomile
Legumes, Tap Roots, and Leaf Crop Guild - peas, beans, caragana, carrots, celery, parsnips, lettuce, spinach, NOT mustard greens, marigolds (such as Mexican tarragon)
Nightshade and Asparagus Guild - tomatoes, peppers, asparagus, parsley, basil, comfrey, oregano
Three Sisters Guild - center-corn and beans; middle-amaranth, potatoes, squash, melons; outer boarder-sunflowers, bee-balm or other bee-attractors
Consider a border of perennial flowers around vegetable beds, so that the bed will have something in bloom all season. This will attract predatory insects that will eat common garden pests. Small or composite flowers are generally better than large ornamentals. Coreopsis (a full sun flower with a long bloom season) is great place to start.