In this instance I was kind of relieved that it was one less thing to think about. I’d rather folks new to gardening focus on composting, mulching, and crop rotation than on planting marigolds next to tomatoes (unless the flowers make the gardening more enjoyable).

It IS confusing, hearing all these conflicting statements about organic gardening, but learning how to garden organically is not confusing!! It is a mental shift when have been gardening using chemicals in a bag, but once you make the mental shift to a knowledge-based gardening system, and learn the basic organic gardening fundamentals (feed the soil, not the plants, use compost to supply beneficial microorganisms, use mulch to retain moisture and protect soil biology, test your soil to determine what you need to add to grow the things you want to grow, and provide habitat for beneficial insects, birds and amphibians who will be your pest control….)

I’d like to know the other conditions of these trials from the U of Cal before accepting a statement that companion planting doesn’t work…

Ellen Sousa
Spencer, MA
THBFarm.com
New England Habitat Gardening blog: blog.THBFarm.com
Twitter: THBFarm

I don’t know if you are in the midwest Kathy, but you could try the Midwest Permaculture forum to find out more about three sisters – you can read the forum without joining I think – http://midwestpermaculture.ning.com/

In your research, did you see any evidence positive or negative on the Three Sisters Planting, used by Native Americans for many centuries? To me, that is a type of companion planting, using corn, beans and squash. I have always wanted to try it, but since I don’t have any luck with corn or squash at my elevation, I am hesitant.
Kathy Green ´s last blog ..Frosting the Garden

@Shannon – small is fine in my experience. I’m guessing that you’re already using raised bed techniques and mulching. You can really squeeze in a lot that way.

@Carole, I agree, it should be fun, not something to fret over. Who needs more stress?