5: Companion Planting

En Nuestras Manos / In Our Hands

EPISODE 5: Companion Planting

Goal: Use specific plants and plant pairings to improve health, yields, fertility, attract beneficial insects and repel non-beneficial ones

Like much of the world, Ecuador has been ravaged by widespread agrochemical use. In response to this, the Vibrant Village Foundation has been teaching the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® method to farmers and gardeners to help recuperate their depleted soil. Illustrating the importance of companion planting has been key to improving nutrition and returning invigorating forces back into peoples’ gardens. Growing a diversity of the right crops not only provides a balanced diet, but also returns nitrogen and fertility to the soil, improving yields and inviting beneficial insects. This has eliminated the need for synthetic fertilizers and toxic pesticides and offered a meaningful solution to an entire region.