Japanese Style Companion Planting: Organic Gardening Techniques for Optimal Growth and Flavor

by Toshio Kijima

Japanese Style Companion Planting brings the techniques of a master farmer in Japan to home gardeners all over the world, with over 175 easy-to-follow color illustrations and detailed texts.

Japanese gardeners typically work with small plots and are experts at making the most efficient use of available garden space. They have long understood that when compatible vegetables and fruits are grown together, the result is increased yields, healthier plants, fewer pest problems and better taste. Vegetables from small gardens are the mainstay of Japan's famously healthy cuisine and movement towards farm-to-table dining tradition.

Author Toshio Kijima is head of the Biotechnology Department at Tochigi Agricultural Station in Japan and principal of the Nogyo Daigakko School of Natural Farming. In this book, he provides 88 different plant pairings, including common favorites such
…and dozens of other pairings that yield tasty, nutritious vegetables and fruits, all grown without the need for pesticides or chemical fertilizers. This book also covers excellent combinations for relay planting, such as watermelon followed by spinach, spinach followed by broccoli, broccoli followed by potato, and many more. Clear and precise instructions are given for each combination--from planning and preparing your plot to planting depths and spacing--all accompanied by detailed color drawings and photographs.

Information on the theory and basics of companion planting will ensure a smooth transition to sustainable gardening techniques that millions of home gardeners are using!

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

Published June 2, 2020

About the author

木嶋 利男

Reviews

[Shevon Quijano · Rating 5 out of 5]

After learning about the indigenous peoples 'Three Sisters' gardening method (corn, beans & squash) I've been looking for more information on other companion planting synergies and this was PERFECT! Toshio Kijima explains the science behind why certain plants and trees do well together including:

Prevention of diseases
Repels pests
Speeds up growth
Efficient use of space
Shade/sun needs
Root depth
Absorbtion or release of certain nutrients

I'm definitely buying this to use as a reference! Every home gardener should check this out!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great tips and techniques. I've used companion gardening for years, but the illustrated plans in this book added to my understanding of how and why companion gardening would improve crop yields, keep bugs at bay, and grow healthier plants.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about why certain combinations of plants work well together. However, this book was of limited usefulness to me, especially when talking about timing of planting or succession planting, because I live in zone 5a and the area of Japan he's talking about is in a much warmer zone, and includes year-round growing. (In contrast, we had 2.5 m of snow this past winter - not much winter gardening happens unless it's in a greenhouse!) The translation from Japanese to English was also occasionally kind of weird so at times it was hard to understand the concept he was trying to convey. But overall, it was an interesting book that would not just say which plants go well together, but why, and which benefits you could expect.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Japanese Style Companion Planting: Organic Gardening Techniques for Optimal Growth and Flavor" by Toshio Kijima is incredibly informative and helpful. I appreciated how clearly the techniques were explained, especially the thoughtful combinations of plants to enhance flavor, growth, and natural pest control. The insights into Japanese organic gardening principles were fascinating and inspiring. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in sustainable gardening or looking to deepen their understanding of companion planting with a fresh perspective.

[Emi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful resource to learn planting methods that made japanese farmers so successful and bringing quality yields to west coast markets: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archiv...

[Kazi Shahnoor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An e book of companion planting

I loved this rich book which is nicely arranged in topics. I was expecting more on companion fruit trees. It's an excellent book for me.

[Wulan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful and informative

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative!

[A.g. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learnt a few things but repetitive .

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was clear that a book about plants which could be, with advantage of both, cultivated together, could only come from Japan, where the scarcity of the cultivable soil is evident.
Interesting and well explained.

Era chiaro che un libro sulle piante che potevano essere, con vantaggio di entrambe, coltivate assieme, non poteva che venire dal Giappone, dove la scarsitá del suolo coltivabile é evidente ad occhio nudo.
Interessante e ben spiegato.

THANKS EDELWEISS FOR THE PREVIEW!