What does companion planting promote?

Companion planting promotes the idea of planting different crops in close proximity for mutual benefit. This practice can lead to various advantages such as pest control, enhanced pollination, and improved nutrient uptake. Certain plants can deter pests that harm their companions, while others may attract beneficial insects. Additionally, some plants can enhance the growth of others by providing shade or supporting structures or by improving soil quality through nitrogen fixation.

While growing the same crops together can help maintain consistency and may simplify care, it does not necessarily leverage the benefits associated with diversity. Seasonal rotation of crop types is an important agricultural practice, but it specifically relates to changing the types of crops grown in a particular area over different seasons rather than the immediate benefits gained from planting different crops together. Planting unrelated species with the aim of boosting productivity may not effectively utilize the synergistic relationships that companion planting aims to establish.