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Humans evolved to share beds – how your sleeping companions may affect you now

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/goffredina-spano-2240566">Goffredina Spanò</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/kingston-university-949">Kingston University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gina-mason-2240569">Gina Mason</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/brown-university-1276">Brown University</a> <a href="https://www.cell.com/trends/ecology-evolution/fulltext/S0169-5347(24)00176-9">Recent research</a> on animal sleep behaviour has revealed that sleep is influenced by the animals around them. Olive baboons, for instance, sleep less as group sizes increase, while mice can synchronise their rapid eye movement (REM) cycles. In western society, many people expect to sleep alone, if not with a romantic partner. But as with other group-living animals, human co-sleeping is common, despite some <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945710000377">cultural</a> and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352721820303053?via%3Dihub">age-related variation</a>. And in many cultures, bedsharing with a relative is considered typical. Apart from <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945710000377">western countries</a>, caregiver-infant co-sleeping is common, with rates as high as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1087079216000265">60-100%</a> in parts of South America, Asia and Africa. Despite its prevalence, infant co-sleeping is controversial. Some western perspectives, that value self-reliance, argue that sleeping alone promotes self-soothing when the baby wakes in the night. But <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00221325.2021.1905599">evolutionary scientists argue</a> that co-sleeping has been important to help keep infants warm and safe throughout human existence. <a href="https://www.sleephealthjournal.org/article/S2352-7218(22)00077-8/abstract">Many cultures</a> do not expect babies to self-soothe when they wake in the night and see night wakings as a normal part of breastfeeding <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389945713002220?via%3Dihub">and development</a>. Concerns about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Sids) have often led paediatricians to discourage bed-sharing. However, when studies control for <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0107799">other Sids risk factors</a> including unsafe sleeping surfaces, Sids risk does not seem to differ statistically between co-sleeping and solitary sleeping infants. This may be one reason why agencies such as the <a href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/1/e2022057990/188304/Sleep-Related-Infant-Deaths-Updated-2022?autologincheck=redirected">American Academy of Pediatrics</a>, the <a href="https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs37/chapter/Quality-statement-5-Safer-practices-for-bed-sharing">National Institute for Health and Care Excellence</a> and the <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/reduce-the-risk-of-sudden-infant-death-syndrome/">NHS</a> either <a href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/1/e2022057990/188304/Sleep-Related-Infant-Deaths-Updated-2022">recommend that</a> infants “sleep in the parents’ room, close to the parents’ bed, but on a separate surface,” or, if bedsharing, to make sure that the infant <a href="https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs37/chapter/Quality-statement-5-Safer-practices-for-bed-sharing">“sleeps on a firm, flat mattress”</a> without pillows and duvets, rather than discouraging co-sleeping altogether. Researchers don’t yet know whether co-sleeping causes differences in sleep or, whether co-sleeping happens because of these differences. However, experiments in the 1990s suggested that co-sleeping can <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajpa.20736">encourage more sustained and frequent bouts of breastfeeding</a>. Using sensors to measure brain activity, this research also suggested that infants’ and caregivers’ sleep may be lighter during co-sleeping. But researchers speculated that this lighter sleep may actually <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00221325.2021.1905599">help protect against Sids</a> by providing infants more opportunities to rouse from sleep and develop better control over their respiratory system. Other advocates believe that co-sleeping <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163638319301237">benefits infants’ emotional and mental health</a> by promoting parent-child bonding and aiding infants’ <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/10253890.2012.742057">stress hormone regulation</a>. However, current data is inconclusive, with most studies showing <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163638319301249?via%3Dihub">mixed findings</a> or <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14616734.2024.2380427">no differences</a> between co-sleepers and solitary sleepers with respect to short and long-term mental health. <h2>Co-sleeping in childhood</h2> Childhood co-sleeping past infancy is also fairly common according to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945713011076?via%3Dihub">worldwide surveys</a>. A <a href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/126/5/e1119/65347/Relationship-Between-Bed-Sharing-and-Breastfeeding">2010 survey</a> of over 7,000 UK families found 6% of children were constant bedsharers up to at least four years old. Some families adopt co-sleeping <a href="https://capmh.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13034-023-00607-w">in response to</a> their child having trouble sleeping. But child-parent bedsharing in many countries, including some western countries <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-6712.2005.00358.x">like Sweden</a> where children often co-sleep with parents until school age, is viewed culturally as part of a nurturing environment. It is also common for siblings to share a room or even a bed. A <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00221325.2021.1916732">2021 US study</a> found that over 36% of young children aged three to five years bedshared in some form overnight, whether with caregivers, siblings, pets or some combination. Co-sleeping decreases but is still present among older children, with up to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fare.12955">13.8% of co-sleeping parents</a> in Australia, the UK and other countries reporting that their child was between five and 12 years old when they engaged in co-sleeping. Two recent US studies using wrist-worn actigraphs (motion sensors) to track sleep indicated that kids who bedshare may have <a href="https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.11352">shorter sleep durations</a> than children who sleep alone. But this shorter sleep duration <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00221325.2021.1916732">is not explained by</a> greater disruption during sleep. Instead, bedsharing children may lose sleep by <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00221325.2021.1916732">going to bed later than</a> solitary sleepers. The benefits and downsides of co-sleeping may also differ in children with conditions such as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945717303842">autism spectrum disorder</a>, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10802-017-0387-1">mental health disorders</a> and <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dmcn.13300">chronic illnesses</a>. These children may experience heightened anxiety, sensory sensitivities and physical discomfort that make falling and staying asleep difficult. For them, co-sleeping can provide <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11325-018-1710-y">reassurance</a>. <h2>Adults sharing beds</h2> According to <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/NSF_Bedroom_Poll_Report_1.pdf">a 2018 survey</a> from the US National Sleep Foundation, 80-89% of adults who live with their significant other share a bed with them. Adult bedsharing has shifted over time from pre-industrial <a href="https://academic.oup.com/ahr/article-abstract/106/2/343/64370?redirectedFrom=fulltext">communal arrangements</a>, including whole families and other household guests, to <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jdh/article-abstract/23/3/275/359439?redirectedFrom=fulltext">solo sleeping</a> in response to hygiene concerns as germ theory became accepted. Many couples find that bedsharing boosts their <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1978364/">sense of closeness</a>. Research shows that bedsharing with your partner can lead to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2017/8140672">longer sleep times</a> and a <a href="https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article-abstract/17/4/308/2753131">feeling of better sleep</a> overall. Bedsharing couples also often <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00583/full">get into sync</a> with each other’s sleep stages, which can enhance that feeling of intimacy. However, it’s not all rosy. Some studies indicate that females in heterosexual relationships may struggle more with sleep quality when bedsharing, as they can be <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1111/j.1479-8425.2007.00320.x">more easily disturbed</a> by their male partner’s movements. Also, bedsharers can have less <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27624285/">deep sleep</a> than when sleeping alone, even though they feel like their sleep is better together. Many questions about co-sleeping remain unanswered. For instance, we don’t fully understand the developmental effects of co-sleeping on children, or the benefits of co-sleeping for adults beyond female-male romantic partners. But, some work suggests that co-sleeping can <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11325-018-1710-y">comfort us</a>, similar to other <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jsr.14174">forms of social contact</a>, and help to enhance <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajpa.20736">physical synchrony</a> between parents and children. Co-sleeping doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. But remember that western norms aren’t necessarily the ones we have evolved with. So consider factors such as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945716301265">sleep disorders</a>, health and age in your decision to co-sleep, rather than what everyone else is doing.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/241803/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/goffredina-spano-2240566">Goffredina Spanò</a>, Lecturer in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/kingston-university-949">Kingston University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gina-mason-2240569">Gina Mason</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/brown-university-1276">Brown University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/humans-evolved-to-share-beds-how-your-sleeping-companions-may-affect-you-now-241803">original article</a>. </div>

Body

New perspectives on navigating grief for owners of companion animals

The loss of a pet can be difficult, but the latest research suggests we can do better to help owners navigate their way through the grief process. For many, the pandemic resulted in more time spent in the company of pets while working from home and because of restrictions designed to limit the movement of people. In many cases, pets became key to maintaining a sense of normality, routine and motivation, not to mention <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/dogs-sense-of-smell-detect-human-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">providing company</a> during times of social and physical isolation. Strangely, though, as the research highlights, society has a bias towards supporting certain circumstances of grieving over others. According to the authors of the review, published in Human–Animal Interactions, some types of trauma such as the loss of a pet, <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/society/can-we-blame-the-famous-for-their-suicides/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">death by suicide</a>, a lost pregnancy or miscarriage and death from AIDS, can be stigmatic for the bereaved. These types of loss tend to be underacknowledged by others or given less attention or empathy. “When relationships are not valued by society, individuals are more likely to experience disenfranchised grief after a loss that cannot be resolved and may become complicated grief,” said Colleen Rolland, President and pet loss grief specialist for <a href="https://www.aplb.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement</a> (APLB). This stigma can interrupt the natural process of grieving, meaning that pet owners often ‘go it alone’, without social support when dealing with the loss of their companion animal. “The present review builds on research in the field of pet loss and human bereavement and factors in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human-animal attachment,” says Dr Michelle Crossley, an Assistant Professor at Rhode Island College in the US. “A goal of the present review is to provide counsellors with perspectives to consider in their practice when working with clients who have attachments to their companion animals. It also aims to acknowledge the therapeutic benefits of working through the grief process to resolution as a way to continue the bond with a deceased pet.” The review presents practical ways in which counsellors can help people grieving the loss of a pet through in-person and online approaches, such as group sessions and web-based chatrooms – “counselling interventions and coping strategies already being used in the therapeutic space,” notes Crossley. Practical activities such as providing safe spaces and materials to paint, draw or write about their anxieties and fears about loss are effective tools for helping children and adults navigate the grief process. <a href="https://petsandpeople.com.au/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pets and People</a>, an online initiative founded by Dr Michael O’Donoghue and Penny Carroll, seeks to provide pet owners with resources and information across a whole host of issues associated with pet loss, including those discussing social stigmas. It also provides links to counsellors with experience in pet loss and lists Australian and New Zealand numbers for the Pet Loss Support Line which connects callers with counsellors.  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=226139&title=New+perspectives+on+navigating+grief+for+owners+of+companion+animals" width="1" height="1" data-spai-target="src" data-spai-orig="" data-spai-exclude="nocdn" />  <div id="contributors"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/australia/new-perspective-navigating-grief-pets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on Cosmos Magazine and was written by Clare Kenyon. Clare Kenyon is a science journalist for Cosmos. Image: Getty Images </div>

Family & Pets

Readers Respond: What is the hardest thing about being a pet owner?

Pets can bring us joy, company, and a kind of companionship that can make it hard to put into words just how much we care for them. But, our beloved feathered, scaly and fluffy friends can be hard to deal with sometimes - whether it’s chewing on shoes or bringing us unwanted ‘presents’ - though it can be just as hard to be strict with them when they misbehave. When we asked our readers what they thought the hardest thing was about keeping pets, many came back to the same answer. From deciding whether to laugh or cry at their antics to wishing you could love them for a little bit longer, here’s what you said. MikeDot Berger - Having to say goodbye when they cross the rainbow bridge. Lynda Borgonje - I can’t be angry or stay angry no matter what my fur baby did … One look in those beautiful brown eyes, I would just melt. Rosy Bloom - They don’t live long enough Sue Packer - Going on holidays without them. Julia Santos - When you want to spoil them with food they want but shouldn’t eat. It’s heartbreaking but necessary 🙁 Toni Miller - Losing them. Still shed a tear occasionally for my beautiful old girl. Held her in my arms while she crossed over. Jan Blackhurst - Deciding whether to laugh or cry at some of their antics. And then the final goodbye. Sue Dodd - Loving them for such a short period Richard Taylor - Trying to be stern with them when they have misbehaved while on the inside you are laughing your guts out. Karen Bowman - There is nothing hard at all. Even when they are sick, it’s such a privilege to have them in our lives. Saying goodbye is very hard but it’s all the memories you have that help you to do that and the love you have for your pet forever. To read what else you said, head <a href="https://www.facebook.com/oversixtys/posts/3345252389038357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image: Getty Images

Family & Pets

Guide to companion planting

Some plants appear to have a direct effect on others growing near them. In some cases, the effect is beneficial, while in others it is detrimental. Roses, for example, seem to be more sweetly scented and less prone to disease when surrounded by garlic, and less troubled by aphids when lavender is grown underneath them. But beans do not seem to do well when grown near onions. Mixed planting benefits Plants of different species, when grown together, compete less with each other than those of the same species, and make it more difficult for pests and diseases to spread. For example, planting potatoes and broad beans together can increase the yields from both crops. Flowers that attract pollinating insects can increase the yields from some other crops. Sweet peas and runner beans work as good companions in this way, and also look very attractive scrambling up bean poles together in flower and vegetable gardens. Other winning combinations include: <ul> <li>tomatoes and cabbage</li> <li>cucumbers and nasturtiums</li> <li>rosemary and sage</li> <li>French marigolds and pretty much everything</li> <li>Weed beaters</li> </ul> Few weeds grow in pine woods because secretions from the trees prevent them from germinating. A mulch of pine needles on the strawberry bed will suppress weeds and may also improve the fruits’ flavour. Rhododendron leaves produce secretions that prevent seeds in the soil nearby from germinating, and the leaves of dandelions appear to have the same effect. Space savers Make good use of space in the vegetable garden by planting shallow-rooting vegetables alongside deep-rooting ones. Carrots and radishes do well together and occupy less space when planted side by side than when planted in separate rows. Disease resistance Some plants can increase the ability of others to resist disease: <ul> <li>Chamomile is beneficial to the health and fragrance of certain plants</li> <li>Foxgloves and golden feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium ‘Aureum’) are helpful to plants nearby</li> <li>Summer savoury benefits beans</li> <li>Onions can prevent mould on strawberries </li> </ul> Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.handyman.net.au/guide-companion-planting">Handyman Australia</a>.

Home & Garden

Is it really possible to find friends and love online?

Social interaction is a crucial component of our human psyche. We need other people to share experiences with, to discuss what is going on in our lives and in the world around us. Travel buddies, sports mates and close friends are a necessary part of our lives. Looking for new people and experiences to spice up your life? Don’t count the days. Make the days count. One of the best ways to meet like-minded people is to engage in social groups and activities. Join sports clubs, gaming groups, participate in a new class, or take up a hobby which will allow you to meet people with similar interests. Whether it is a language class, dancing lessons or a chess group, there is a never-ending array of opportunities for you to activate your brain and body, instil meaning into your daily life and meet people in your area with similar tastes and opinions. What’s not to love about that? Why? Online forums and websites allow you to sift through multitudes of people to fairy quickly find individuals that fit your specific criteria. Here are four of the latest and most popular online resources that might help you meet your next partner, travel companion or activity buddy. Let us know what happens! <a href="http://www.stitch.net/">Stitch</a> Aim: To help mature adults find companionship Use it if: You want to try a new and all-inclusive way of meeting like-minded people Cost: Free starter plan, range of costs depending on your level of interaction (up to $29 a month for gold membership). Stitch helps you to find a companion for every aspect of your life, whether you are looking for someone for travel, events and activities, love and romance or friendship. Australian entrepreneur, Andrew Dowling, created Stitch to help over 50s combat social isolation and find companions for friendship or love. “When you’re younger, you have opportunities (to meet people) like going to uni, having kids, then when you get to a certain age your friends start to move away, you retire, you get divorced,” says Dowling. After launching Stitch in San Francisco in 2015, it grew to more than 3000 members in the first six months. This rapid success, combined with constant interest from his home country, meant that he knew it was time to bring the site to Australia. The site has launched in Sydney and now people from all over Australia can sign up. Robin Miller from Sydney’s North Shore is a single mother who says she finds the prospect of meeting people ‘daunting’. She wants to connect with people who have similar hobbies and travel interests, yet she has found that dating sites want too much information. “One of the things about Stitch that I like is it’s aimed at older people,” she says. Then adds, the process is comfortable. “It’s not rushed, quite secure and I’m not competing with people half my age.” She says that Stitch’s group events take away the anxiety of one-on-ones and are based around an activity, so you already know you have a common interest. <a href="http://www.stitch.net/">Stitch</a> prides itself on its steadfast commitment to safety, guaranteeing users that no scammers or con-artists will be able to infiltrate the site. <a href="http://www.elitesingles.com.au/">Elite Singles</a> Aim: To help you find ‘the one', not just anyone Use it if: You are looking for a serious relationship Cost: Free and premium service (from $22.95 per month) Elite Singles caters to those who are serious about finding a someone special and genuine. They say they utilise a smart profiling system to assess members based on their personal characteristic and partner criteria to guarantee more compatible matches. Their aim is to match members with singles that suit each other’s values, interests and lifestyle, thus abiding by their mantra of 'quality over quantity'. The site caters to people from all walks of life, including options for professional dating, single-parent dating, over-50 dating, gay dating or Christian dating. Elite Single’s staff say they manually check every user to ensure that every account is legitimate and safe. However, still please be aware that you must always be careful when meeting new people regardless of the circumstances. The site gets 18,000 new members every week and has a presence all over Australia and the rest of the world, with a global reputation for pairing compatible 'elites'. <a href="http://www.seniorsholidaytravel.com.au/">Seniors Holiday Travel</a> Aim: To provide a free travel club with no minimum age requirement Use it if: You want to explore the world with like-minded travellers Cost: Free Often one of the greatest barriers to travel is finding a travel buddy to accompany you. Although solo travel is often a cathartic and enlightening experience, sometimes it is fun to experience the journey with a friend. Seniors Holiday Travel is a club for older travellers covering every aspect of trips. They provide travel agents with your specific needs in mind, a suite of deals, tips and promotions as well as a means for you to meet other like-minded travellers. The site has a 'solo traveller club' with a co-ordinator who organises regular meetings and outings that allow club members to meet other travellers and find a suitable companion. If you have a destination in mind and are looking for someone with whom you can share the experience, simply notify the co-ordinator of your intended destination and they can match you up with another - or a few other - solo travellers. <a href="http://www.companions.com.au/">Companions</a> Aim: Make friends, share interests, and meet new local people Use it if: You want to find a new friend Cost: Free Whether you are in search of a tennis opponent, a confidante for your morning coffees, a fellow movie buff to take to the cinema or a like-minded person to discuss news and politics with, Companions will help you find a suitable compadre. <a href="http://www.companions.com.au/">Companions</a> allows you to identify your interests, which can be as diverse as ‘Tarantino movies’, ‘intelligent conversation’, ‘ballroom dancing’ or anything in between. Joining is free and only takes a couple of minutes, plus members can search profiles, message, chat and discuss topics on forums at no extra cost. Meeting truly compatible people often takes a lot of chance and circumstance, even if you have similar interests and live in close proximity. So why not take a chance to be proactive and make new friends with similar interests today? What have your experiences been connecting with other people online? Let us know in the comments below. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/lifestyle/relationships/is-it-really-possible-to-find-friends-and-love-online.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Caring

Barking dog leads cops to trapped canine companion

It was like a scene straight out of an episode of Lassie. Police from western Massachusetts in the US say a barking dog approached an officer on Tuesday. The agitated dog then led the officers across a field and down an icy, 10-metre embankment where, much to the astonishment of the cops, they found another dog entangled in the undergrowth. <img width="427" height="321" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/13823/dog-rescue_427x321.jpg" alt="Dog Rescue" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Firefighters were called and freed the trapped dog, which was taken to a veterinarian to be checked. The two dogs has run off hour earlier when their owner had suffered a medical emergency and had to be taken to the hospital. Police has tried to catch the dogs, but they kept running away. Orange police said on their Facebook page: "Apparently, any dog in the right circumstances can turn into Lassie.” Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/09/dogs-make-the-best-companions/">8 reasons why dogs are the bee’s knees</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/08/signs-your-pet-is-sick/">10 signs your pet is sick</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/cats-are-like-psychopaths-gallery/">11 ways cats are like “psychopaths”</a>

News

Great infographic explains companion planting

For all the green thumbs out there, if you haven’t heard about companion planting then you’ll want to get on board. As we mentioned in our <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/01/companion-planting/" target="_blank">previous article on why you should be companion planting in your garden</a>, companion planting is about growing plants together that “enjoy” each other’s company and are mutually beneficial to their health. This handy infographic shows you exactly what plants you should group together and what plants you should never pair together for a healthy and bountiful garden. <img width="500" height="3200" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/13427/companion-planting-infographic_500x3200.jpg" alt="Companion Planting Infographic (1)"/> First appeared on TipsPlants.com. Visit their website <a href="http://tipsplants.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/12/diy-christmas-decorating-ideas/">13 easy-peasy Christmas decorating ideas</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/12/diy-christmas-decorating-ideas/">More great vintage household tricks from the 1900s</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/12/vacuum-cleaning-tricks/">Vacuum cleaning tricks you’ll want to know about</a>

Home & Garden

Hasbro launches new robotic “companion pets”

Toy company Hasbro has launched a new line of “companion pets” for people ages five to 105. The “Joy for All” pets are robotic cats that are realistic enough to look, feel and purr like normal cats. While robotic pets are not new, Hasbro's new pets are not just marketed towards children but to a wider audience, including an older demographic. "We believe that the power of play can bring joy to people at all stages of life, and we've heard from our friends, fans, and consumers that some of our toys and games are especially appealing to seniors and enhance meaningful interactions with their loved ones," Hasbro's website said. <img width="552" height="316" src="http://sad.hasbro.com/ffd73d14f7e892e0c77ff589482d09d7f08732bd/077026fe7e537f25b9038d76d6db587b.jpg" class="mainImg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> The new line of toy cats are likely the most realistic to date, with built-in sensors responding to motion and touch. For anyone who’s owned a cat, it’s appearance, movements and interactions are fairly accurate, with the toy version able to nuzzle your hand, roll on its back to demand a belly rub and in true cat fashion, fall asleep for hours in a day. The cats are only out in the US currently, costing US$99.99, including batteries.

News

The companion planting guide

The trend of “companion planting” is all about growing plants together that are mutually beneficial to their health. We’ve spoken about <a href="/lifestyle/gardening/2015/01/companion-planting/" target="_blank">why you should be companion planting in your garden</a> so now here’s a guideline for which plants work well together and which don’t. Remember companion planting isn’t a cure-all solution and it’s not the same for everyone, everywhere. You will need to experiment to find what works best in your garden. Asparagus Good companions: Apricot, basil, chives, comfrey, lovage, Marjoram, parsley, tomatoes Bad companions: Garlic, potatoes, onions Why: Basil and parsley are believed to improve flavour. Onions and garlic release substances reducing growth. Beans Good companions: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, lettuce, lovage, Majoram, Parsley Bad companions: Beetroot, chives, garlic, gladiolus, onions, sunflower Beetroot Good companions: Beans (bush), broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kohl rabi, lettuce, lovage, Marjoram, onion, peas, potato, spinach, silverbeet Bad companions: Beans (climbing), tomato Why: The bad companions’ roots release substances reducing growth Brassicas (including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower) Good companions: Beans, beetroot, carrots, chamomile, coriander, cucumber, dill, lettuce, lovage, Marjoram, Marigold (French), mint, nasturtium, onion, pea, potato, rosemary, sage, tansy, thyme, tomato, zinnias Bad companions: Garlic, rue, strawberries, Why: Thyme, nasturtiums, and onion showed good resistance to cabbageworm, weevil and cabbage looper. Carrots Good companions: Beans, chives, coriander, cucumber, leeks, lettuce, lovage, marjoram, onion, pea, radish, rosemary, sage, tomato Bad companions: Dill, celery, parsnip, radish Why: Beans provide the nitrogen carrots need more than some other vegetables. Aromatic companion plants repel carrot fly. Celery Good companions: Cabbage, chives, dill, dwarf beans, leek, lovage, majoram, onion, pea, sage, spinach, tomato Bad companions: Carrots, parsnip, potato, corn Why: Bad roots release substances reducing growth Chives Good companions: Apples, cucumbers, lettuce, peas Bad companions: Beans, peas Why: Prevents apple scab and it’s said to deter aphids Cucumber Good companions: Basil, bens, borage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, corn, dill kohl rabi, lettuce, lovage, marjoram, nasturtium, parsnip, pea, radish, sunflower, tansy Bad companions: Potato, sage, aromatic herbs Garlic Good companions: Apricot, cherry, mulberry, parsnip, peach, pear, raspberry, rosemary, rose Bad companions: Beans, cabbage, peas, strawberry Why: Deters aphids, especially from roses and raspberry. Repels cabbage white butterfly Lettuce Good companions: Achillea, beans, beetroot, cabbage, carrot, chervil, coreopsis, cucumber, lovage, marjoram, marigold, onion, parsnip, pea, radish, strawberry, zinnia Bad companions: Parsley, celery, cabbage Why: Achillea, coreopsis and zinnia attract pollinators and offer shade for lettuce Onion Good companions: Beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, chamomile, leeks, lettuce, lovage, marjoram, parsley, parsnip, silverbeet, strawberry, summer savory, tomato Bad companions: Asparagus, beans, gladioli, peas Why: Smell of onion said to deter numerous pests. Peas Good companions: Beans, beetroot, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, lettuce, lovage, marjoram, parsnip, potato, radish, sage, squash, sweet corn Bad companions: garlic, onion, shallots Potato Good companions: Beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, eggplant, horseradish, lovage, marjoram, marigold (french), nasturtium, parsnip, peas, sweet alyssum, sweet corn, watermelon Bad companions: Apple, celery, cherry, cucumber, pumpkin, raspberry, rosemary, squash, sunflower, tomato Pumpkin Good companions: Beans, cabbage, eggplant, peas, radish, sweet corn Bad companions: Potato Tomato Good companions: Asparagus, basil, celery, borage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chives, dill, gooseberry, grape, hyssop, lovage, mariglod, marjoram, mint, nasturtium, onion, parsley, parsnip, turnip Bad companions: Apricots, beetroot, fennel, kohl rabi, potato, rosemary, sweet corn Why: Marigolds said to repel white fly and root knot nematode. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/gardening/2015/03/gardening-quotes/" target="_blank">10 famous gardening quotes we love</a> <a href="/lifestyle/gardening/2015/03/natural-fertilisers/" target="_blank">5 natural fertilisers that can be found in your house</a> <a href="/lifestyle/gardening/2015/01/gardening-tips-part-2/" target="_blank">Over60 community gardeners’ top tips</a>

Home & Garden

Blind shelter kitty has own “blind cat” companion

Blinkin' and Hefty, two cats living at a rescue shelter in South Carolina, are the very best of friends. They follow each other around everywhere, not just because they’re pals but also because Hefty actually helps Blinkin' get around. Blinkin’, a stray brought into the SPCA Albrecht Center, is blind and Hefty, the black fuzzy cat, was paired up with him to see if they would get along. As you can see, it was a match made in heaven. “We paired them up together and they've been together ever since,” the SPCA's Sarah Neikam told The Dodo. “It's really sweet to see them together.” Hefty acts as Blinkin’ eyes, guiding him to wherever he wants to go, so the pair clearly can’t be separated. "These two have just stuck around with us," Neikam said. "We're still looking for the right home for them." We’re hoping these two bosom buddies find their forever home soon! <img width="509" height="341" src="https://assets.rbl.ms/1715963/980x.jpg" class="rm-shortcode" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="7519d"/> <img width="507" height="336" src="https://assets.rbl.ms/1716016/980x.jpg" class="rm-shortcode" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="0a975"/> <img width="513" height="451" src="https://assets.rbl.ms/1716017/980x.jpg" class="rm-shortcode" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="0fcb7"/> Related links: <a href="/news/news/2015/08/dying-man-holds-own-wake/">Dying man holds his own wake (before he dies)</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/08/who-is-most-stylish-royal/">Who’s the most stylish royal in the world?</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/08/coffee-machine-germs-study/">Coffee machines harbour alarming germs</a>

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Why you should be “companion planting” in your garden

Companion planting is all about growing plants together that “enjoy” each other’s company and are mutually beneficial to their health. While companion planting isn’t a cure-all solution to problems in the garden, working out which plants grow well together will greatly improve the success of your garden. Here are just three reasons why you should consider taking up companion planting.Plants that mask other plantsCertain plants emit strong odours that disguise the smell of other desirable plants, thereby confusing pests that would otherwise target your beloved plants. These plants act as decoys to distract pests from your valuable crops. Plant chives, onion or garlic near roses to deter thrips, aphids and other pests. Calendula will attract slugs and snails that would otherwise munch on your veggies.Plants that attract valuable insectsPlanting a mixture of flowers and herbs among your vegetable and fruit plants will encourage a helpful and healthy diversity of critters in the garden such as birds, pollinating insects, reptiles and beetles. Some insect-attracting plants include herbs like thyme, sage, coriander, chives and mint, and flowers such as cosmos, calendula, lavender, echinacea and marigold.Plants that nurture other plantsOther companion plants improve the conditions for their neighbours. The best-known are the legume family (for example, peas and beans) that promote growth in nearby plants with their ability to capture nitrogen from the atmosphere. They also tend to be deep rooted which benefits neighbouring plants by promoting aeration of the soil. It’s about choosing plants that balance each other’s need.To find out more about individual plants and their companions, talk to the professionals at your plant nursery.

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