🥦 Yacon

Amaranth and yacon are both tall, productive plants with complementary nutrient needs , yacon's large leaves shade out weeds between amaranth plants.

Aromatic herb that improves health of neighboring plants

Nitrogen fixer for heavy-feeding yacon

Tall corn provides wind protection for yacon

Universal garden companion; deters pests and attracts beneficials

Nasturtium acts as a trap crop for aphids, protecting yacon; its low-spreading habit covers soil beneath yacon's tall stalks, suppressing weeds and retaining moisture. IMPORTANT management caveat: without active management, nasturtiums can become a SOURCE of aphids that migrate to nearby crops. Either remove aphid-infested nasturtium plants promptly, or treat the trap crop itself to eliminate the aphid colony before it spreads. Strategic placement within 4-5 feet of protected crops is key.

Both large-rooted tropical perennials; different harvest

Sunflowers and yacon both grow tall with complementary root systems , sunflowers bring up deep minerals while yacon produces sweet tubers in the upper soil layers.