Companion planting is an ancient gardening practice where certain plants are grown together for mutual benefit. Just like people, plants can be good or bad neighbors to each other. Planning your garden with this idea can help prevent pests, improve flavors, and increase harvests. However, planting the wrong things together may slow down growth or attract more insects.
The science behind companion planting involves how plants interact with soil and pests. All plants need nitrogen (氮), but some require more than others. Leafy vegetables like lettuce need a lot of nitrogen. Meanwhile, plants such as peas and beans actually add nitrogen back into the soil. Therefore, a basic rule is to plant nitrogen-needing crops next to nitrogen-fixing ones. Herbs also play an important role. Many herbs drive away harmful insects and attract helpful ones like ladybugs. Plants such as dill and parsley (欧芹) bloom with small flowers that attract these natural protectors.
A well-known example of companion planting is called the “Three Sisters”. It involves growing corn, beans, and squash (南瓜属植物) together. The cornstalk serves as a natural pole for the beans to climb. The squash spreads its wide leaves at the base, keeping weeds down and shading the soil. The beans, in return, provide nitrogen that helps the squash grow.
Some plants are natural partners. Tomatoes, basil, peppers, and parsley grow very well together. Basil helps drive pests away from tomatoes and peppers, while parsley attracts beneficial insects. Interestingly, tomatoes produce more fruit when basil grows nearby, and peppers become more flavorful. Besides helping each other grow, these plants also happen to taste delicious together.
However, not all plants make good neighbors. For example, beans and strawberries do not grow well near garlic or onions. These onion-family plants can slow the growth of beans and affect the taste of strawberries. Also, it is better not to plant onions or garlic too close together, as they may share pests and diseases more easily. By avoiding these combinations, you can prevent problems and help each plant thrive in your garden.
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2.2.The underlined term “these natural protectors” in Paragraph 2 refers to ________.
A small flowers
B leafy vegetables
C harmful pests
D beneficial insects
解析：选D。2.D词意指代题。划线短语“these natural protectors”出现在第二段末尾。前一句提到：“Many herbs drive away harmful insects and attract helpful ones like ladybugs. Plants such as dill and parsley bloom with small flowers that attract these natural protectors.” 根据逻辑，“these natural protectors”指代的是前一句中“helpful ones like ladybugs”，即“有益昆虫”。故D（beneficial insects）正确。
3.3. Why is the “Three Sisters” example mentioned in the text?
A To show beans need support.
B To illustrate a successful planting model.
C To compare different crop yields.
D To stress the importance of single crops.
解析：选B。3.B推理判断题。第三段详细描述了玉米、豆类、瓜类如何相互配合形成互利关系，该例子紧接在伴生种植原理介绍之后，旨在用经典案例具体说明成功的种植模式。故选B。
4.4.What can we conclude about planting beans and garlic close to each other?
A Both will grow better.
B Garlic will taste worse.
C Beans will be negatively affected.
D Pests will be kept away effectively.
解析：选C。4.C细节理解题。文章最后一段第二句指出：“For example, beans and strawberries do not grow well near garlic or onions. These onion-family plants can slow the growth of beans and affect the taste of strawberries.” 可知，大蒜会抑制豆类的生长，即C项的豆类会受到负面影响。A、D均为正面影响，与原文信息相反。B项（大蒜的口感会变更差）并未在文中提及。故选C。
