Great Garden Companions: A Companion Planting System For A Beautiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden (Hardcover)

by Sally Jean Cunningham (Author) "My garden is a wonderland..." (more)
Key Phrases: great garden companions, companion gardening, perennial clusters, Cabbage Family, Sally Says, North America (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Great Garden Companions is a book as fresh as the first spring carrot, as new as a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis. Sally Cunningham's gentle appreciation for the intricacies of nature coupled with plenty of practical, hands-on gardening experience makes her book both useful and soul-satisfying. Her garden plans are doable and earth-friendly, and her guide to backyard beneficial insects is invaluable. This book deserves a place in the library and hearts of concerned gardeners everywhere."--Sharon Lovejoy, author and illustrator of Sunflower Houses and Hollyhock Days and a contributing editor to Country Living Gardener magazine

"Great Garden Companions lives up to its name--it's great! This very approachable how-to book brings organic gardening to a whole new level--viewing the garden as part of nature. I wish I'd had a book like this when I started gardening."--Rosalind Creasy, author of The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping and Herbs: A Country Garden Cookbook

Product Description
Discover the secrets of a naturally pest-proof vegetable garden with Great Garden Companions. Let master gardener Sally Jean Cunningham show you how to keep pests and diseases at bay with her unique companion-gardening system. By planting special combinations of vegetables, flowers, and herbs, you can minimize pest and disease problems and create a high-yielding, beautiful garden!


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Product Details Hardcover: 288 pages Publisher: Rodale Books (February 15, 1998) Language: English ISBN-10: 0875967817 ISBN-13: 978-0875967813 Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (44 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #444,297 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
My garden is a wonderland. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
great garden companions, companion gardening, perennial clusters, plant companions, flowering companions, plant friends, attracting beneficial insects, gourmet greens, last spring frost date, imported cabbageworms, gardening system, crop list, spined soldier bugs, blocks weeds, light feeders, plant radishes, chalcid wasps, carrot rust, lady beetles, plant clover, suck plant juices, broccoli plants, ambush bugs, vine crops, companion planting

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Cabbage Family, Sally Says, North America, United States, Aster Family, Three Sisters, Tomato Family, Squash Family, Carrot Family, New York, Cooperative Extension, Great Plant Companions, New Zealand, Swan River, Master Gardener, New England, Welcoming Corner, Native Americans, Cover Crops Do More, Keeping Your Good Guys Happy, Mint Family, Mother Nature, Wonderland Farm

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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 17 books:

• Pest Control by Time Life Books in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Companion Plants and How to Use Them by Helen Louise Porter Philbrick in Back Matter
• The American Garden Guides: Shrubs and Vines by Holden Arboretum Staff in Back Matter
• Roses Love Garlic by Louise Riotte in Back Matter
• Annuals and Bulbs (Rodale's Successful Organic Gardening) by Rob Proctor in Back Matter

See all 17 books this book cites

 

1 book cites this book:

• Green Living: A Practical Guide to Eating, Gardening, Energy Saving and Housekeeping for a Healthy Planet by Sarah Callard in Back Matter

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

The Organic Gardener's Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control by Barbara W. Ellis

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• imported cabbageworms
• spined soldier bugs
• carrot rust

Burpee by Karan Davis Cutler

Discusses:

• attracting beneficial insects
• last spring frost date
• crop list

Joy of Gardening by Dick Raymond

Discusses:

• last spring frost date
• gardening system
• broccoli plants

Bug, Slugs, & Other Thugs by Rhonda Massingham Hart

Discusses:

• imported cabbageworms
• chalcid wasps
• carrot rust

The Book of Field and Roadside by John Eastman

Discusses:

• imported cabbageworms
• spined soldier bugs
• chalcid wasps

Western Garden Problem Solver by Sunset Books

Discusses:

• attracting beneficial insects
• spined soldier bugs
• carrot rust

The Organic Gardener's Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control by Barbara W. Ellis Discusses: imported cabbageworms spined soldier bugs carrot rust Burpee by Karan Davis Cutler Discusses: attracting beneficial insects last spring frost date crop list Joy of Gardening by Dick Raymond Discusses: last spring frost date gardening system broccoli plants Bug, Slugs, & Other Thugs by Rhonda Massingham Hart Discusses: imported cabbageworms chalcid wasps carrot rust Loading...

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	60% buy the item featured on this page: Great Garden Companions: A Companion Planting System For A Beautiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden 4.6 out of 5 stars (44) $21.24
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Customer Reviews

44 Reviews 5 star:  (34) 4 star:  (6) 3 star:  (2) 2 star:  (2) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.6 out of 5 stars (44 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 144 of 147 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Useful addition to the organic garden library....., June 7, 2003 By  Dianne Foster "Di" (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    This review is from: Great Garden Companions: A Companion-Planting System for a Beautiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden (Paperback) Although GREAT GARDEN COMPANIONS appears to be about what to plant with what, Sally Cunningham's book is about much more. Cunningham is a `Master Gardener' associated with the Cornell Cooperative Extension in upstate New York (growing zone 6) and has spent many hours practicing what she preaches in her nearby garden. Her garden (as shown in diagrams and photographs) reminds me somewhat of those shown on National Public Television's long-running Victory Gardens (raised beds, yummy soil), but Cunningham's advice and ideas are 100 percent organic. While many people understand organic gardening involves the use of raised beds, mulch, compost, and cover plants that enhance soil friability, retain moisture, and restore soil, few books discuss the ecosystem within which gardens exist. Cunningham works a large garden at the edge of fallow farmland (where the glaciers left very nice black soil), however, many of her ideas will work in a smaller and/or less fertile places. Some of the more interesting sections of Cunningham's book cover "old-time" notions such as how to build row hedges that attract birds and act as wind breaks; how to identify insect friends and foes and cultivate the former while repelling the latter; why toads, moles, birds, dogs, cats and horses can be great garden companions. For example, Cunningham says moles have been given a bum rap and dogs and cats can actually help you ward off the bunny rabbits and other critters who might make a meal of your lettuce. Horses are a fabulous source of organic fertilizer-should you be so lucky to own one. Cunningham uses virtually everything that is biodegradable to make compost. She stops by the side of the road to sweep up leaves and pine needles discarded by others. She rips newspapers into long strips and mixes them into compost piles. She buries composted material directly in the garden under straw and other coverings to decompose over the winter. These practices work. I have buried half-digested material next to my roses in fall and by spring produced fabulous flowers on 3/4 canes ordinarily measuring a third of an inch. Regarding companion planting, Cunningham suggests mixing the members of "families (i.e. tomatoes, eggplants, peppers) in the same bed along with companion herbs and perennials. She suggests members of the same family have similar growing requirements and by combining like with like you will save work. This might be so, but many garden writers suggest the opposist--combining plants from different families as companions. These writers believe the pests and diseases that attack one member of a family are likely to attack another member of the same family and by separating them you confuse the enemy. In addition, authors like Riotte (CARROTS LOVE TOMATOES) suggest certain combinations produce synergistic results. I tend to agree with Riotte, but like much else in life, you will have to experiment with various combinations to find the answer for your garden. 78 of 78 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars rather disappointing..., February 19, 2006 By  Shelly Sutherland - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This review is from: Great Garden Companions: A Companion-Planting System for a Beautiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden (Paperback) My first impulse was to give this book only one or two stars, but: a) I read it right after Carol Deppe's "Breeding Your Own Vegetable Varieties" and that is a really tough act to follow. It is CRAMMED with information and fun and intriguing ideas. b) After reading other reviews, I don't think I had a good idea of what the book was like. That isn't the book's fault. My first frustration is that the book is not very well organized. The information that is useful is buried in meandering chapters that tend to repeat themselves. Second frustration--the recommended companions are almost all flowers. I have a small garden and not much room for flowers. I was expecting to know whether I should plant my onions next to the tomatoes or the peas...just a few basics. But there isn't that kind of information in here. In fact, Ms. Cunningham doesn't mention a single thing NOT to plant next to anything else. If I remember right, from Biology class, some plants don't grow as well next to others. I've gotten this idea from a few internet sites as well, but I guess I'll have to go buy another book to find out for sure. My final and biggest problem with the book is that she rarely explains why she mixes the flowers that she does. Over and over she mentions the same three reasons for her style in general: 1) attract pollinators 2) "confuse" insects that damage your garden 3) to look pretty (!) I do think that some people might prefer this kind of lighter read, and there are a few pages of useful information about each main type of garden crop in the back. It's just not nearly enough for a beginning gardener to know where to start. If you grew up in a city with no exposure to the out-of-doors and find the idea gardening to be a little intimidating, she might be just the right person to put you at ease. However I like a more scientific approach...something that tells me exactly what to do, when, where, and most importantly, WHY, then I can judge what corners I need to/want to cut, and adapt it to my needs. 63 of 65 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, July 9, 2001 By  Artemis Gems "ChainWeavers.com" (CT) - See all my reviews This review is from: Great Garden Companions: A Companion-Planting System for a Beautiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden (Paperback) This is what gardening is all about! This text approaches gardening in a sustainable, "natural-chaos", good for you and the earth manner. The illustrations are clear, the diagrams simple, new/unfamiliar terms well explained. Very clear, concise, imaginative, and inspiring. The author deserves a BIG thank-you for writing this book. It takes the guess work and mystery out of organic gardening and companion plants. Her methods are simple and effective.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars If You Like to Plant in Rows - Just Go Ahead. If you like to plant in rows - just go ahead. Cunningham's book is crammed full of much useful and fun information, but you must first know that she is an avid proponent of... Read more Published 2 months ago by Tricia Huff 5.0 out of 5 stars love this book love this book. it is a must have if you are doing a veggie garden. what she shares is simple to understand and easy to follow instructions that make all the difference in finding... Read more Published 3 months ago by Sharon L. Green 5.0 out of 5 stars Great Garden Companions The book, GREAT GARDEN COMPANIONS by Sally Jean Cunningham, arrived in great condition. Since it was shipped from the Coffeyville, KS warehouse I was disappointed that it took so... Read more Published 3 months ago by Maureen O 5.0 out of 5 stars Great Garden Companions: A Companion-Planting System for a Beautiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden Great information on growing specific plants together to avoid using insectides.I borrowed this book so many times from the library, I finally bought it. Read more Published 6 months ago by Leelee 5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Companion I'm an avid gardener, and I garden organically. My specialty has always been ornamentals, but recently I've become interested in vegetable gardening. Read more Published 10 months ago by Red Clogs Gardening 5.0 out of 5 stars reference it every day! i checked this book out from the library, and let my neighbor borrow it. she liked it so much didn't want to give it back. as soon as i started reading it, i understood why. Read more Published 12 months ago by A. Lilikoi 5.0 out of 5 stars Must have I checked this book out through inter-library loan - had to return it last week & am really missing it! So needless to say will be buying my own copy soon. Read more Published 13 months ago by Kendra K. Harnden 5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gardening Companions I am findingg this book to be very interesting and helpful My goal is to not have to use any pesticides and garden in a very small space. Read more Published 13 months ago by L. Minisce 5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT Gift for a Gardener or Yourself I love this book. It is filled with loads of useful information explained in a clear and concise manner. Read more Published 14 months ago by Melissa Haskell 5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable advice from years of experience The concept of plant families from a compatibility standpoint is such a useful way of explaining what to plant where. For even an experienced gardener this is an excellent book. Published 14 months ago by Commentator Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (February 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875967817
• ISBN-13: 978-0875967813
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #444,297 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

144 of 147 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful addition to the organic garden library....., June 7, 2003

By	Dianne Foster "Di" (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Great Garden Companions: A Companion-Planting System for a Beautiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden (Paperback)

Although GREAT GARDEN COMPANIONS appears to be about what to plant with what, Sally Cunningham's book is about much more. Cunningham is a `Master Gardener' associated with the Cornell Cooperative Extension in upstate New York (growing zone 6) and has spent many hours practicing what she preaches in her nearby garden. Her garden (as shown in diagrams and photographs) reminds me somewhat of those shown on National Public Television's long-running Victory Gardens (raised beds, yummy soil), but Cunningham's advice and ideas are 100 percent organic.

While many people understand organic gardening involves the use of raised beds, mulch, compost, and cover plants that enhance soil friability, retain moisture, and restore soil, few books discuss the ecosystem within which gardens exist. Cunningham works a large garden at the edge of fallow farmland (where the glaciers left very nice black soil), however, many of her ideas will work in a smaller and/or less fertile places.

Some of the more interesting sections of Cunningham's book cover "old-time" notions such as how to build row hedges that attract birds and act as wind breaks; how to identify insect friends and foes and cultivate the former while repelling the latter; why toads, moles, birds, dogs, cats and horses can be great garden companions. For example, Cunningham says moles have been given a bum rap and dogs and cats can actually help you ward off the bunny rabbits and other critters who might make a meal of your lettuce. Horses are a fabulous source of organic fertilizer-should you be so lucky to own one.

Cunningham uses virtually everything that is biodegradable to make compost. She stops by the side of the road to sweep up leaves and pine needles discarded by others. She rips newspapers into long strips and mixes them into compost piles. She buries composted material directly in the garden under straw and other coverings to decompose over the winter. These practices work. I have buried half-digested material next to my roses in fall and by spring produced fabulous flowers on 3/4 canes ordinarily measuring a third of an inch.

Regarding companion planting, Cunningham suggests mixing the members of "families (i.e. tomatoes, eggplants, peppers) in the same bed along with companion herbs and perennials. She suggests members of the same family have similar growing requirements and by combining like with like you will save work. This might be so, but many garden writers suggest the opposist--combining plants from different families as companions. These writers believe the pests and diseases that attack one member of a family are likely to attack another member of the same family and by separating them you confuse the enemy. In addition, authors like Riotte (CARROTS LOVE TOMATOES) suggest certain combinations produce synergistic results. I tend to agree with Riotte, but like much else in life, you will have to experiment with various combinations to find the answer for your garden.

78 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars rather disappointing..., February 19, 2006

By	Shelly Sutherland - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Great Garden Companions: A Companion-Planting System for a Beautiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden (Paperback)

My first impulse was to give this book only one or two stars, but:
a) I read it right after Carol Deppe's "Breeding Your Own Vegetable Varieties" and that is a really tough act to follow. It is CRAMMED with information and fun and intriguing ideas.
b) After reading other reviews, I don't think I had a good idea of what the book was like. That isn't the book's fault.

My first frustration is that the book is not very well organized. The information that is useful is buried in meandering chapters that tend to repeat themselves.

Second frustration--the recommended companions are almost all flowers. I have a small garden and not much room for flowers. I was expecting to know whether I should plant my onions next to the tomatoes or the peas...just a few basics. But there isn't that kind of information in here. In fact, Ms. Cunningham doesn't mention a single thing NOT to plant next to anything else. If I remember right, from Biology class, some plants don't grow as well next to others. I've gotten this idea from a few internet sites as well, but I guess I'll have to go buy another book to find out for sure.

My final and biggest problem with the book is that she rarely explains why she mixes the flowers that she does. Over and over she mentions the same three reasons for her style in general:
1) attract pollinators
2) "confuse" insects that damage your garden
3) to look pretty (!)

I do think that some people might prefer this kind of lighter read, and there are a few pages of useful information about each main type of garden crop in the back. It's just not nearly enough for a beginning gardener to know where to start.

If you grew up in a city with no exposure to the out-of-doors and find the idea gardening to be a little intimidating, she might be just the right person to put you at ease. However I like a more scientific approach...something that tells me exactly what to do, when, where, and most importantly, WHY, then I can judge what corners I need to/want to cut, and adapt it to my needs.

63 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, July 9, 2001

By	Artemis Gems "ChainWeavers.com" (CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Garden Companions: A Companion-Planting System for a Beautiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden (Paperback)

This is what gardening is all about! This text approaches gardening in a sustainable, "natural-chaos", good for you and the earth manner. The illustrations are clear, the diagrams simple, new/unfamiliar terms well explained. Very clear, concise, imaginative, and inspiring. The author deserves a BIG thank-you for writing this book. It takes the guess work and mystery out of organic gardening and companion plants. Her methods are simple and effective.