Companion Planting

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Planting the same plants next to one another results in intraspecific competition for resources (light, water, nutrients), so the grower has to plant apart at set distances.  Some plants can benefit from being planted next to a different species by repelling pests, shelter or due to differing requirements like rooting depths, aerial height, time of maturation, etc.  At one point it was common knowledge and practice to plant compatible plants next to one another, but now it is forgotten.

By carefully planting mixed species together one can form plant communities, which can help one another.  For example, if marigolds are planted in between tomatoes then aphids will be repeled.