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Great Garden Companions: A Companion-Planting System for a Beautiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden
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!
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 28, 2023
For years, I've relied on a variety of online guides and blogs for information about ideal companion planting in the garden. That method has been useful, but harder to track the resources once it comes to planting time again the next year.
Since I am expanding my garden and planting spaces this year, I wanted to plan accordingly, and this hardcopy book has been very helpful in charting and planning out my vegetables. Now so much of the information is in one place, and easily accessed in this book's plant guides and charts. I learned about this book in the SeedSavers Exchange catalog and that alone was a bona fide reference. The book includes other adjacent topics like crop rotations, soil chemistry, and pest management.
Since I am expanding my garden and planting spaces this year, I wanted to plan accordingly, and this hardcopy book has been very helpful in charting and planning out my vegetables. Now so much of the information is in one place, and easily accessed in this book's plant guides and charts. I learned about this book in the SeedSavers Exchange catalog and that alone was a bona fide reference. The book includes other adjacent topics like crop rotations, soil chemistry, and pest management.
July 27, 2016
Time Machine
Great Garden Companions -- What a Resource!, April 7, 2005
If you do `Organic', then you probably already know Rodale Press and their penchant for searching out and finding the best possible authors. With Sally Jean Cunningham they certainly have a hit the jackpot. She writes so clearly and with such joy that you would think she was a Rodale herself.
To give you an idea of what her style is like, in the introduction, Sally Jean illuminates the three harvests that she personally derives from her garden. The first is what you would expect, healthful vegetables and beautiful flowers; the second however is "satisfaction and peace of mind". And the third, she says, is the experience of getting to teach to others the techniques and secrets that she has learned over a lifetime of experimentation in the garden.
It would be very difficult to outline all that she teaches. Giving the chapter headings would only be misleading, but suffice it to say that she covers companion planting, french intensive/raised gardening, organic soil building and pest control (which happily includes how to train dogs and children to stay out of the raised beds-LOL) And this in the first few chapters.
From there she covers `"good guys" or those beneficials we'd all like to see dancing about our blooms, the inclusion of perennials amongst the seasonal throng; and design elements, such as arbors, creative mulch, creative garden design, etc.
Of continual use to me over the years are the sections at the end of the book where she goes veggie by veggie describing friends, foes, growing essentials, spacing, feeding, harvesting tips and problems one is likely to encounter.
She also has some summary charts for Beneficials (insects) and plants they like; plants and the pests they may repel; as well as several pages on "Preventing Pest" problems in the first place.
Personally, I have only 3 gardening books at home and this is one. And if you are organic (or want to be) or if you just want a wealth of veggie and flora information, then this book will be a great addition to your gardening library.
Great Garden Companions -- What a Resource!, April 7, 2005
If you do `Organic', then you probably already know Rodale Press and their penchant for searching out and finding the best possible authors. With Sally Jean Cunningham they certainly have a hit the jackpot. She writes so clearly and with such joy that you would think she was a Rodale herself.
To give you an idea of what her style is like, in the introduction, Sally Jean illuminates the three harvests that she personally derives from her garden. The first is what you would expect, healthful vegetables and beautiful flowers; the second however is "satisfaction and peace of mind". And the third, she says, is the experience of getting to teach to others the techniques and secrets that she has learned over a lifetime of experimentation in the garden.
It would be very difficult to outline all that she teaches. Giving the chapter headings would only be misleading, but suffice it to say that she covers companion planting, french intensive/raised gardening, organic soil building and pest control (which happily includes how to train dogs and children to stay out of the raised beds-LOL) And this in the first few chapters.
From there she covers `"good guys" or those beneficials we'd all like to see dancing about our blooms, the inclusion of perennials amongst the seasonal throng; and design elements, such as arbors, creative mulch, creative garden design, etc.
Of continual use to me over the years are the sections at the end of the book where she goes veggie by veggie describing friends, foes, growing essentials, spacing, feeding, harvesting tips and problems one is likely to encounter.
She also has some summary charts for Beneficials (insects) and plants they like; plants and the pests they may repel; as well as several pages on "Preventing Pest" problems in the first place.
Personally, I have only 3 gardening books at home and this is one. And if you are organic (or want to be) or if you just want a wealth of veggie and flora information, then this book will be a great addition to your gardening library.
March 20, 2012
The book struck me as light-weight when I checked it out of the library: green type, line drawings, cutesy titling (Love Your Compost Pile), etc. So I didn't have high hopes, despite a friend's enthusiastic recommendation and the fact that the author is a Master Gardener.
Thank goodness I actually read the book! It's awesome, and I'll probably be placing an order for my very own copy.
I have had John Jeavons's book, "How to Grow More Vegetables" for many years, even purchasing updated editions because I value his information on intensive growing methods. Cunningham's book is perhaps more 'user friendly', but has equally valuable information on companion planting and good gardening practices. Her focus seems to be on intensive planting (grids rather than rows) of seed beds and interplanting vegetables with each other, as well as flowers and herbs, to encourage beneficial insects and discourage others. Chapter 10, "Sally's top crops and companion-garden secrets" is particularly useful in summarizing this information.
The book is illustrated with the aforementioned line drawings but also has glorious full-color photos of what I call Fantasy Gardens. Not a weed in sight, no invading quack-grass (I wish!!) and everything is over-the-top healthy. I guess we need to see photos like that to give us inspiration and hope for our own efforts.
In summary, I recommend this book without reservation if you are in that gardening majority that likes to "tweek" your methodology in the hope of even greater success. Because, let's face it. Even if you get only bat-sized zucchini - pick more often! - and a few radishes and tomatoes, plus a bumper crop of parsley and basil... your garden is still a success. Could it stand to be improved? Surely. And Ms. Cunningham has some ideas for you.
Note: the green type kept me from giving it 5 stars. I don't care for colored type. Black is my preference ;-)
Thank goodness I actually read the book! It's awesome, and I'll probably be placing an order for my very own copy.
I have had John Jeavons's book, "How to Grow More Vegetables" for many years, even purchasing updated editions because I value his information on intensive growing methods. Cunningham's book is perhaps more 'user friendly', but has equally valuable information on companion planting and good gardening practices. Her focus seems to be on intensive planting (grids rather than rows) of seed beds and interplanting vegetables with each other, as well as flowers and herbs, to encourage beneficial insects and discourage others. Chapter 10, "Sally's top crops and companion-garden secrets" is particularly useful in summarizing this information.
The book is illustrated with the aforementioned line drawings but also has glorious full-color photos of what I call Fantasy Gardens. Not a weed in sight, no invading quack-grass (I wish!!) and everything is over-the-top healthy. I guess we need to see photos like that to give us inspiration and hope for our own efforts.
In summary, I recommend this book without reservation if you are in that gardening majority that likes to "tweek" your methodology in the hope of even greater success. Because, let's face it. Even if you get only bat-sized zucchini - pick more often! - and a few radishes and tomatoes, plus a bumper crop of parsley and basil... your garden is still a success. Could it stand to be improved? Surely. And Ms. Cunningham has some ideas for you.
Note: the green type kept me from giving it 5 stars. I don't care for colored type. Black is my preference ;-)
February 18, 2014
A great beginner's guide, but not organized well for the intermediate gardener who would like to extract the relevant information from among all the hooey. A better guide might be Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening.
January 24, 2009
I learned so much from this simple book. I loved the way the author organized the material, and the illustrations crack me up. Her love and respect for nature's hierarchy is ever present in this very informative book. One to purchase for future reference.
May 3, 2024
This may be one of the best gardening books I've read so far.
First, the tone is light-hearted and refreshing. It doesn't feel apocalyptic or judgmental like modern organic gardening books. (It was published in 1998.) More of a "You should try organic gardening, it's fantastic!" tone.
Second, the author is seriously experienced on multiple fronts, and draws from years of nitty gritty home garden experience to pack the book full of really useful information, like charts, garden layouts, etc.
Third, the idea of fun and beauty with flowers, animals, and insects is woven all through the book alongside her practical scientific know-how. It's not just which vegetables go with which. It's which flowers go with vegetables that go with bugs that keep everything happier, and she has lots of tips and tricks.
A caveat is that she recommends a few companion plants that are now considered invasive - possibly they weren't even on the invasive plant list when she wrote the booki n the 90's. None of them are the super-thug top invasives, but it's something to keep in mind.
Also, she is a New York gardener, so, even though she does a great job trying to write for all climates, her life-experience is not in the southern states, so the book is most valuable to those, who like her, garden in cooler climates.
I borrowed this book from the library, but might need to buy it for our home library. It was a real pleasure to read.
First, the tone is light-hearted and refreshing. It doesn't feel apocalyptic or judgmental like modern organic gardening books. (It was published in 1998.) More of a "You should try organic gardening, it's fantastic!" tone.
Second, the author is seriously experienced on multiple fronts, and draws from years of nitty gritty home garden experience to pack the book full of really useful information, like charts, garden layouts, etc.
Third, the idea of fun and beauty with flowers, animals, and insects is woven all through the book alongside her practical scientific know-how. It's not just which vegetables go with which. It's which flowers go with vegetables that go with bugs that keep everything happier, and she has lots of tips and tricks.
A caveat is that she recommends a few companion plants that are now considered invasive - possibly they weren't even on the invasive plant list when she wrote the booki n the 90's. None of them are the super-thug top invasives, but it's something to keep in mind.
Also, she is a New York gardener, so, even though she does a great job trying to write for all climates, her life-experience is not in the southern states, so the book is most valuable to those, who like her, garden in cooler climates.
I borrowed this book from the library, but might need to buy it for our home library. It was a real pleasure to read.
May 7, 2017
Excellent beginning gardening book. Includes specifics about planting techniques for some of the most common garden vegetables, and diseases and pests connected to those vegetables.
January 14, 2018
Clear information on which companions have worked best for her along with a ton of awesome information about beneficial insects and how to keep them in your yard.
March 29, 2018
A good basic reference for organic home-gardening.
July 26, 2019
The pace, tables, and graphics of this how-to book are great for beginning gardeners testing out companion planting.
October 5, 2019
I perpetually read this book! It makes me wish I could clone myself to do everything she suggests in a happy way.
Read
July 13, 2020Spectacular. This was a library book, I should buy it. The author discusses the idea of companion groups, not just companion pairs. Strong idea. I need my own copy.
July 1, 2021
Excellent garden book, lots of info on planning a garden, importance of soil, which plants are good companions and much more. Great detail on growing individual vegetables.
October 14, 2021
Will remain as a constant reference n my garden bookshelf!
March 5, 2024
Good book. Not a read from start to finish for me, but read parts all the way through But I found what I was looking for and it will be a reference book for a long long time
July 22, 2014
After finishing Michael Pollan's Second Nature, in which he tries to find a balance between the rigid no-weed policy of a traditional garden and the Emersonian weed-is-a-plant-whose-virtues-have-not-yet-been-discovered school of thought, I found Great Garden Companions to be a refreshing tale of success. In the intro, Cunningham mentions that she struggled when she first went organic to produce even close to what she had before--until she realized that organic requires a new framework. You can't just replace non-organics with their organic equivalents and expect to have a similar yield. You have to encourage nature to work with you.
The book is filled with concrete examples and will make an amazing reference book. My only complaint is that the tone is embarrassingly inappropriate. I assume the reader base she is writing for is not a grade-school class--so please let up on the exclamation points and the cutesy descriptions of your garden as a wonderland. Her editor was obviously a big part of the problem (take, for instance, the Sally Says insets with trite quips like "To help with pest control, I'll take planting perennials over spraying and dusting to kill pests any day!"), but the syntax of the main text itself is simplistic, so perhaps Cunningham just always writes as if she's explaining something to a kiddie. But there's no question that it's worth overlooking the irritating tone for the wealth of information in here. (or !!! In honor of Sally)
The book is filled with concrete examples and will make an amazing reference book. My only complaint is that the tone is embarrassingly inappropriate. I assume the reader base she is writing for is not a grade-school class--so please let up on the exclamation points and the cutesy descriptions of your garden as a wonderland. Her editor was obviously a big part of the problem (take, for instance, the Sally Says insets with trite quips like "To help with pest control, I'll take planting perennials over spraying and dusting to kill pests any day!"), but the syntax of the main text itself is simplistic, so perhaps Cunningham just always writes as if she's explaining something to a kiddie. But there's no question that it's worth overlooking the irritating tone for the wealth of information in here. (or !!! In honor of Sally)
January 23, 2021
The author is trying to make herself "a brand".
The author refers to herself so many times, either in first person or third person, that it is impossible to count. And she is condescending. She actually tells us that biodiversity is "a big word" that we shouldn't be afraid of! She refers to "my method" countless times, when actually many of these methods have been practiced for centuries.
And the front cover is a problem. It has "Cornell Cooperative Extension" emblazoned on it. But there is no permission from Cornell to actually use their name. Maybe that is why Cornell University fired the author after the book came out. Nervy (and perhaps illegal) of Rodale Press to put that on the front cover. (One of the first things they teach you in Master Gardener school is NOT to do this.)
As I was looking for permission from Cornell to use their name in the opening pages, I noted that the author thanks her editor for editing, but "leaving enough of me" in the book.
As others have noted, the book is not well organized, but so far I haven't found anything blatantly wrong printed in it. The author doesn't claim that any of these suggestions have research to back them up - they are just things to try if you're curious. It's worth a look-through if someone gives you a used copy. But if you want to buy a garden book, I would recommend looking for one from Timber Press. They have a better reputation in the horticultural industry.
The author refers to herself so many times, either in first person or third person, that it is impossible to count. And she is condescending. She actually tells us that biodiversity is "a big word" that we shouldn't be afraid of! She refers to "my method" countless times, when actually many of these methods have been practiced for centuries.
And the front cover is a problem. It has "Cornell Cooperative Extension" emblazoned on it. But there is no permission from Cornell to actually use their name. Maybe that is why Cornell University fired the author after the book came out. Nervy (and perhaps illegal) of Rodale Press to put that on the front cover. (One of the first things they teach you in Master Gardener school is NOT to do this.)
As I was looking for permission from Cornell to use their name in the opening pages, I noted that the author thanks her editor for editing, but "leaving enough of me" in the book.
As others have noted, the book is not well organized, but so far I haven't found anything blatantly wrong printed in it. The author doesn't claim that any of these suggestions have research to back them up - they are just things to try if you're curious. It's worth a look-through if someone gives you a used copy. But if you want to buy a garden book, I would recommend looking for one from Timber Press. They have a better reputation in the horticultural industry.
January 14, 2009
Despite the hokey cover, this is a really great book on gardening especially for a beginner who wants to have a slamming organic garden and at the same time wants to be spared scientific/esoteric gardening vocabulary. Very readable book, Sally's Tips and Tricks are great, the pre-designed gardens are fabulous, and there's a lot of information of insect management that rarely gets much play in other garden books.
I really can't say enough good things. If you're just starting out and looking for a good gardening book, get this one. You may need to seek some other sources for minor details to compliment the information presented here, but all in all,this book is well worth your time.
The only things I would have liked to see more of are bed preparation techniques (which can be found in many other sources) and perhaps a section on her favorite tools and their uses.
I really can't say enough good things. If you're just starting out and looking for a good gardening book, get this one. You may need to seek some other sources for minor details to compliment the information presented here, but all in all,this book is well worth your time.
The only things I would have liked to see more of are bed preparation techniques (which can be found in many other sources) and perhaps a section on her favorite tools and their uses.
April 11, 2009
I got this book from the library and most of the way through it I thought I could just get away with taking some notes and not buying it. The detailed information at the end caught my eye and seemed worth the purchase. I first thought that it would be like information found in any gardening book about specific plants, but when I compared a few plants with what gardening books I had I realized how much better the info was in this book.
The author groups veggies, flowers and herbs together in a beneficial way. Flowers that I wouldn’t have wasted my time on normally because they aren’t medicinal or edible (though I appreciated their beauty), I now see that they are valuable to attract beneficial insects for the useful plants.
I am excited to plant a garden this year, I'm envisioning great things!
The author groups veggies, flowers and herbs together in a beneficial way. Flowers that I wouldn’t have wasted my time on normally because they aren’t medicinal or edible (though I appreciated their beauty), I now see that they are valuable to attract beneficial insects for the useful plants.
I am excited to plant a garden this year, I'm envisioning great things!
March 7, 2008
This is great! This book details a very easy, straight forward way to combine foods, herbs, and flowers in the garden. Cunningham is obviously in love with the miracle of gardening and shares her joys and success on every page. And it's so easy to apply! I am now burning to get out in my garden and scatter some seeds, plant some seedlings, and otherwise get dirty.
Cunningham provides other basics -
*Easy (non--digging) garden bed building
*Easy over winter compost
*Easy pest control
and more and more and more.
I think that I will buy this book this year and see how these methods work in practice, rather than just theory. If you plan of doing some gardening this year, I suggest you check out this book.
Cunningham provides other basics -
*Easy (non--digging) garden bed building
*Easy over winter compost
*Easy pest control
and more and more and more.
I think that I will buy this book this year and see how these methods work in practice, rather than just theory. If you plan of doing some gardening this year, I suggest you check out this book.
January 10, 2013
So, my newest interest is gardening and I had a great friend give me this book for Christmas. I read it cover to cover and I can hardly wait to start growing. The subtitle reads: A companion-planting system for a beautiful, chemical-free vegetable garden. I can't say that I come down very clearly on chemical/organic issues, but this book has me excited to try a chemical free garden. Even better this book gave clear instructions on how to start gardening -- you know, with step by step instructions for a total novice. The information in this book was extremely accessible so I feel empowered and with a much clearer plan of action.
October 30, 2008
This is one of my most-used gardening books. It organizes companion plants by plant neighborhoods and then gives advice for how to grow plants in each neighborhood. It covers making raised beds, crop rotation, soil, attracting beneficial insects and birds, garden design, dealing with pests, and just about anything else you'd want to know about growing a chemical-free vegetable and herb garden with a few flower companions thrown in for good measure. I take this book to the garden with me when I'm ready to plant or transplant and I read it for inspiration.
February 13, 2011
One of the first books I read on gardening, and still one of my favorites! I still refer back to this periodically in case I need some inspiration on what might benefit from being planted side-by-side with another veggie. No guarantees that companion gardening will actually work, but I personally feel it does help!
Oh, and like many other veggie gardening books, you'll find this book also has a large section describing each of the veggies you might want to grow. That's one downside to reading lots of gardening books - there's a lot of duplication in the form of vegetable descriptions.
Oh, and like many other veggie gardening books, you'll find this book also has a large section describing each of the veggies you might want to grow. That's one downside to reading lots of gardening books - there's a lot of duplication in the form of vegetable descriptions.
April 22, 2020
This book was my introduction to gardening. I'm a farmer now. Needless to say it turned out to have a huge impact on my life.
The text is very clear and approachable. A lot of good techniques are explained in a step by step manner. All the illustrations and the pictures support the content well. I'm confident enough to say that a beginner will be exposed to the most relevant practices of organic vegetable growing and permaculture.
The chapters on pests and insect life are outstanding. They are worth the price of the entire book by themselves.
Highly recommended!
The text is very clear and approachable. A lot of good techniques are explained in a step by step manner. All the illustrations and the pictures support the content well. I'm confident enough to say that a beginner will be exposed to the most relevant practices of organic vegetable growing and permaculture.
The chapters on pests and insect life are outstanding. They are worth the price of the entire book by themselves.
Highly recommended!
April 28, 2008
This is a really good book for gardeners who are concerned about using pesticides or whatnot on their food. Companion gardening as it pertains to plants of all sorts and bugs and some diseases. Super-helpful in planning combinations. Have to take into account that the author lives in New England, not Texas.
September 18, 2008
This is a great book to get you started vegetable gardening organically. The emphasis is on companion gardening which means pairing your vegetables with other plants (flowers, herbs) that are beneficial. Also valuable is you are interested in raised bed gardening. WARNING: Don't expect your garden to look like 'Better Homes and Gardens'. Weeds are welcome here.
March 19, 2012
Finally someone who (at least claims to have) based her plant companions on scientific research. Her groupings are easy to apply to gardens big and small and beautiful to boot with their mixture of veggies and flowers. Aesthetics and science are the two things I usually miss when reading about companion planting; they aren't absent here!
May 18, 2008
I really enjyed this book and learning more about what plants help each other grow and fend off pests. We are looking ot have chemimcal free garden - even if we have to hand pick a few critters on the way.
May 2, 2013
An interesting approach to gardening by using the combination of certain plants to benefit the health and growth of others in that family of plants. Having a very small area, I am willing to do some experimenting to see if this works.
August 24, 2007
Has helped me create some beautiful, fruitful gardens!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews