One of the biggest determining factors for whether yourvegetableplants become healthy producers might come as a surprise: It's their neighbors.
A vegetablegardenis a lot like a forest. Just underground, roots intertwine and networks are created, connecting every plant to those around it. Plan your garden strategically, and you can use some plants to deter pests from others, use herbs to improve the flavor of your vegetables, and increase yield. Plant the wrong things together, and you could inadvertently stunt a plant's growth.
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It's a practice called companion planting, and it's been around for thousands of years. Follow these tips to help your plants benefit each other — and learn which plantsshouldn'tbe neighbors — and you'll get the most out of your garden.