Best Companion Plants For Corn That Will Boost Your Yield

Best Companion Plants for Corn That Will Boost Your Yield

Corn is a staple crop in many parts of the world, and for good reason. It's a versatile vegetable that can be eaten fresh, frozen, or canned. But did you know that there are certain companion plants that can help to boost your corn yield?

In this blog post, we'll discuss the best companion plants for corn and how they can benefit your garden. We'll also provide some tips on how to plant and care for these companion plants so that you can get the most out of them.

What are Companion Plants?

Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting certain plants together in order to improve their growth and productivity. Companion plants can provide each other with a variety of benefits, such as attracting beneficial insects, deterring pests, and improving soil health.

Why Companion Plant Corn?

Corn is a heavy feeder, so it benefits from being planted with companion plants that can help to improve the soil. Some good companion plants for corn include:

• Beans: Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which can help to feed the corn plants. They also help to suppress weeds and improve soil aeration.
• Pumpkins: Pumpkins help to suppress weeds and provide shade for the corn plants. They also attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps, which can help to control pests.
• Squash: Squash helps to suppress weeds and provide shade for the corn plants. They also attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps, which can help to control pests.
• Sunflowers: Sunflowers attract beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies, which can help to pollinate the corn plants. They also help to deter pests, such as birds and rabbits.
• Marigolds: Marigolds repel pests, such as corn earworms and aphids. They also attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps.
• Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums repel pests, such as aphids and spider mites. They also attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings.
• Dill: Dill attracts beneficial insects, such as hoverflies and ladybugs, which can help to control pests. It also helps to improve the flavor of corn.
• Borage: Borage attracts beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies, which can help to pollinate the corn plants. It also helps to repel pests, such as cabbage loopers and squash bugs.

How to Plant Companion Plants with Corn

When planting companion plants with corn, it's important to consider the size and growth habit of each plant. For example, beans and peas should be planted in rows in front of the corn plants, while pumpkins and squash should be planted behind the corn plants.

It's also important to space the plants properly. Corn plants need about 2 feet of space between each plant, while beans and peas need about 1 foot of space between each plant. Pumpkins and squash need even more space, so they should be planted at least 3 feet apart.

How to Care for Companion Plants with Corn

Once your companion plants are established, they will need regular watering and fertilizing. You may also need to thin the plants if they start to crowd each other.

In addition to regular care, it's important to monitor your companion plants for pests and diseases. If you see any problems, take steps to control them immediately.

Conclusion

Companion planting is a great way to boost your corn yield and improve the health of your garden. By planting the right companion plants together, you can attract beneficial insects, deter pests, and improve soil health.

So next time you're planting corn, be sure to consider some of the companion plants listed above. You'll be glad you did!

Corn is a delicious and versatile crop that can be enjoyed in many different ways. But did you know that there are certain plants that can help corn grow better? These are known as companion plants, and they can provide a number of benefits to corn, such as:

• Attracting beneficial insects. Some companion plants, such as marigolds and nasturtiums, attract beneficial insects that help to control pests that can harm corn.
• Providing shade and support. Other companion plants, such as pole beans and winter squash, can provide shade and support for corn plants, which can help them to grow taller and produce more ears of corn.
• Improving soil quality. Some companion plants, such as peas and clover, can help to improve the soil quality around corn plants, which can lead to better growth and yields.

If you're looking to improve the growth and yield of your corn crop, consider planting some companion plants. There are many different companion plants that can be beneficial for corn, so do some research to find the ones that are right for your garden.

For more information about the best companion plants for corn, visit Garden Wiki.

FAQ of best companion plants for corn

1. What are the best companion plants for corn?

Some of the best companion plants for corn include:

• Winter squash: Winter squash, such as butternut squash and pumpkins, can help to suppress weeds and improve soil fertility. They can also provide shade for corn plants, which can help to prevent them from overheating.
• Pole beans: Pole beans can climb up corn stalks, which can help to save space in the garden. They can also fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit corn plants.
• Peas: Peas can also fix nitrogen in the soil, and they can help to suppress weeds. They can also be planted early in the season, which can help to break up the soil and improve drainage for corn plants.
• Marigolds: Marigolds can help to repel pests, such as corn earworms and aphids. They can also attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps, which can help to control pests.
• Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums can also help to repel pests, and they can attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. They can also be used as a living mulch, which can help to suppress weeds and improve soil health.

2. What are the benefits of companion planting with corn?

There are many benefits to companion planting with corn, including:

• Increased crop yields: Companion plants can help to improve soil fertility, suppress weeds, and attract beneficial insects, all of which can lead to increased crop yields.
• Improved plant health: Companion plants can help to protect corn plants from pests and diseases. For example, marigolds can help to repel corn earworms, and nasturtiums can help to attract parasitic wasps.
• Reduced need for pesticides: Companion planting can help to reduce the need for pesticides, as the plants will help to control pests and diseases naturally.
• Enhanced biodiversity: Companion planting can help to enhance biodiversity in the garden by attracting a variety of beneficial insects and pollinators.
• Beautiful garden: Companion planting can also create a beautiful and aesthetically pleasing garden.

3. What are some plants that should not be planted near corn?

Some plants that should not be planted near corn include:

• Tomatoes: Tomatoes and corn compete for the same nutrients, so planting them together can stunt the growth of both plants.
• Potatoes: Potatoes and corn can be susceptible to the same diseases, so planting them together can increase the risk of infection.
• Cucumbers: Cucumbers and corn can attract the same pests, so planting them together can make it more difficult to control pests.
• Carrots: Carrots and corn can have different nutrient requirements, so planting them together can lead to nutrient imbalances.
• Celery: Celery and corn can both be susceptible to the same diseases, so planting them together can increase the risk of infection.

4. How far apart should corn plants be planted?

Corn plants should be planted 2-3 feet apart. This will give them enough space to grow and develop properly.

5. What is the best time to plant corn?

Corn should be planted when the soil temperature is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This is usually in the spring, but the exact timing will vary depending on the climate.

Image of best companion plants for corn

• Borage - Borage is a flowering plant that attracts beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and hoverflies, which help to control pests that can harm corn plants. It also helps to improve the pollination of corn plants.
• Cucumber - Cucumbers help to suppress weeds and improve the pollination of corn plants. They also provide shade for the corn plants, which can help to protect them from pests and diseases.
• Dill - Dill helps to repel pests such as aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies from corn plants. It also helps to improve the flavor of corn.
• Marigolds - Marigolds help to repel pests such as nematodes, corn borers, and cutworms from corn plants. They also help to improve the soil quality.
• Pole beans - Pole beans help to provide nitrogen for corn plants. They also help to suppress weeds and improve the pollination of corn plants.