Plants are the source and humans use them for everything; from food, to medicine, to clothing- plants are the human source. In gardening, we notice some plants having to be grown with others, to help nurture and protect in various ways. Nature’s elements could be the difference between having a good crop or a bad one. Much of the time, we have to plant different plants simultaneously, especially where there’s a limited echo system. This piece is focused on companion planting and poly culture with plants.
What is Companion Planting?
Companion Planting is the cultivation of many different types of plants in proximity to each other for the benefit of each plant to keep many various bugs and natural elements from damaging each other. The various plants ensure protection of the crop, it’s why we see so much poly culture in nature. We see trees with mushrooms growing out of them, we see carnations in the soil with cannabis, we see dandelions growing out of the grass- nature shows the importance of companion growing .
Some plants that make great companions are:
- Chamomile: which we use as a tea, is excellent against pests and whiteflies. Also, this plant is beneficial for cannabis, especially at the use growing stages.
- Dill: This plant keeps and drives caterpillars away from eating the leaves of the cannabis; it’s also a great repellent against mites and aphids.
- Sunflower: this plant holds harmful insects at bay and attracts pollinating insects such as bees. They are welcome.
- Tobacco: not many people realize this dangerous crop, when consumed in a cigarette, is an ally, especially when it comes to attracting whiteflies and aphids with the trichomes on the leaves. With the attraction of nicotine, the insects die on the leaves.
Since ancient times, people have been using the companion planting technique to cultivate rice, grapes, and various other crops. The Indigenous used this technique before the arrival of the immigrants from Europe about ten thousand years ago, when they were growing corn, squash, and beans.
What is Polyculture and How Does it Benefit Cannabis?
Polyculture is the simultaneous cultivation or growth of two or more compatible plants or organisms. Polyculture is the ideal way of using different plants in a limited echo system. The plants help with the growth of cannabis by distributing certain nutrients to the soil.
Cannabis can thrive in an environment that mimics the natural plant communities. They get nutrients from these plants to help them grow with the environment that makes up a self-surviving ecosystem. These are the natural plant communities that will help in the process:
- Grasslands: with this environment, cannabis can use the fact that grass helps filter out 13.6 million tons of carbon dioxide daily.
- Oak Woodlands: these woodlands provide shelter for small animals. Also, protect the soil from erosion and maintain water quality.
- Chaparral: it prevents water evaporation in an environment that has a lack of rainfall.
- Coniferous Forest: this is the moisture retention forest in North America. Also, found in places where there are high and cold temperatures.
Why Choosing Companion Planting and Polyculture is Good for Cannabis
Of course I should’ve mentioned that these options are generally looked at for outdoor grow/cultivation. When put in practice, companion planting can save the grower a lot of headaches when trying to keep bugs and other insects from damaging their crop. Instead of using harmful pesticides, they can use the very nature that these plants come from. Companion planting should be a continuous practice for the cannabis plant when the environment calls for it.
Polyculture is the way to grow plants together in a limited echo system. These plants working simultaneously with cannabis would make a good source of vitamins, minerals, and a way to keep the moisture in the soil. Also, with this environment, the plants can feed off each other to protect themselves from losing water, vitamins, and the all-around nutrients they get from each other.
Conclusion:
Using these two techniques is a learning experience for those who never had a way to protect their plants naturally from bugs, insects, and the reasons that your cannabis leaves turn yellow. This practice is a necessity for all of us to learn to work in conjunction with nature and within ourselves as well. Let’s use this opportunity to understand how these separate plants can come together in harmony and be in an environment where they transform into something protective and prosperous.
Written by: Terry Byas
Hello, my name is Terry Byas. I am originally from Illinios, and I live in Texas. I’ve written articles about Philosophy, Spirituality and Cannabis. I am also an author of my first book. I pride myself on being a sort of Cannabis Connoisseur, over the years.
Terry Byas, also known as, Having the Conscious Truth_81
Favorite strain(s): Girl Scout Cookies
How Cannabis heals you: Cannabis helps me with my blood sugar. Also, it helps me with my workouts.
Edited by: Veronica Castillo
Sponsored by:
Korasana (with partner Zero Point Extractions)
Thank you all for supporting the mission of this blog by taking care of the Writers! With your support, we are able to educate, inform, connect, and break stigmas. Cannabis builds community, and we are grateful to you all for being a part of ours!
Related Posts
Celebrating 420 with Black Woman in Cannabis: Kema Ogden
Cannabis Colleges, Universities, Programs and Courses
