The method originated in North America and has been practiced for more than 3,000 years.
In addition to beans and squash, there are other good companion plants for corn.
And the timing is just rightcorn and beans grow rapidly in mid- and late summer.
Daniela White Images / Getty Images
Cucumbers
Growing corn and cucumbers together has several benefits.
Both summer crops share similar growing conditions of warm soil and ample moisture but dont compete.
The cucumber vines cover the soil around the corn plants, keeping it cool and conserving soil moisture.
Westend61 / Getty Images
Because cucumber vines are so dense, they also do a great job suppressing weeds.
Proper spacing is also crucial.
Space cucumbers and corn seedlings 12 inches apart.
Minh Hoang Cong / 500px / Getty Images
Tip
Timing mattersselect early-maturing corn varieties such as Early Sunglow.
The large leaves of the squash vines keep weeds out and improve soil moisture retention.
Winter squash and pumpkin benefit from the dappled shade of the corn stalks.
Westend61 / Getty Images
Growing them maximizes garden space.
It also draws parasitic wasps, which prey on hornworms.
The Science of Companion Planting in the Garden.
Leptospira / Getty Images
Montana State University Broadwater County Extension.
Introduction to Rhizobia.University of Hawaii.
Cucumber: Common Pests and Diseases.Pennsylvania State University Extension Plant Village.
alan64 / Getty Images
OneulRe / Imazins / Getty Images
SurkovDimitri / Getty Images
Westend61 / Getty Images
Nikolay Malshakov / Getty Images
Jenny Dettrick / Getty Images
