companion planting: old wisdom or modern chaos?
When I was a child, my backyard was a patchwork of tomatoes, beans, and marigolds—each plant chosen with care, each row straight as a ruler. She swore by the old ways: "Tomatoes love basil, never plant onions near beans." Her garden was her pride, a living memory of family meals and summer afternoons.
Now, in my own zone 6a backyard, I find myself torn. The world has changed. Some neighbors swear by the new chaos gardening trend—throwing seeds together, letting nature decide what thrives. It feels wild, almost rebellious, compared to the tidy beds of my childhood. I’ve tried both: sometimes my tomatoes flourish next to nasturtiums, sometimes my peppers sulk in the shade of sprawling squash.
Is the old wisdom outdated, or are we losing something precious in our rush for novelty? My local community garden is split—some cling to tradition, others embrace the chaos. We debate over coffee: is a wild, buzzing patch better for pollinators, or does it just look messy? Does it matter if the neighbors complain about "weeds" if the bees are happy?
This spring, I’m planting both ways—one bed neat and orderly, the other a riot of seeds. Maybe I’ll find a middle ground, or maybe I’ll just have more stories to share. What’s your experience? Do you follow the rules, or make your own?
#companionplanting #chaosgardening #zone6a #Gardening
