How to Companion Plant: An In-Depth Guide
Companion planting is an ancient gardening technique in which certain plants are grown together to support or inhibit the growth of other plants and deter pests. By strategically pairing plants, you can maximize your garden’s productivity and create a balanced ecosystem. In this in-depth guide, we will explore various companion planting combinations for a wide range of vegetables and flowers.
Basil is a versatile herb that can be planted near most garden crops. It improves the flavor and growth of vegetables, especially tomatoes and lettuce. It also has the added benefit of repelling mosquitoes. On the other hand, basil should be kept away from rue.
Beans, both bush and pole varieties, have several beneficial companions. Bush beans can be planted near beets, cabbage, carrots, catnip, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, marigolds, potatoes, savory, and strawberries. Potatoes and marigolds, in particular, help repel Mexican bean beetles. Catnip is effective against flea beetles. Pole beans, similar to bush beans, do well when planted near corn, marigolds, potatoes, and radishes, but should be kept away from beets, garlic, kohlrabi, leeks, onions, and shallots.
Beets thrive when planted near broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, kohlrabi, and onions. However, they should be kept away from charlock and field mustard.
Borage is a wonderful companion for squash, strawberries, and tomatoes. It repels tomato worms and improves the flavor and growth of its companions.
Broccoli and Brussels sprouts have numerous beneficial companions, including beets, buckwheat, calendula, carrots, chamomile, dill, hyssop, marigolds, mints, nasturtiums, onions, rosemary, sage, thyme, and wormwood. Marigolds are particularly effective in repelling cabbage moths, while nasturtiums deter aphids.
Cabbage and cauliflower can be successfully planted near broccoli, Brussels sprouts, celery, chard, spinach, and tomatoes. Tomatoes and celery, in particular, repel cabbage worms. However, strawberries should be kept away from these cruciferous vegetables.
Cantaloupe flourishes when planted near corn.
Carrots benefit from being grown near cabbage, chives, early potatoes, leeks, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, rosemary, sage, salsify, and wormwood. Onions, leeks, and wormwood help repel carrot flies.
Chives make great companions for apples, berries, carrots, grapes, peas, roses, and tomatoes. They improve the flavor and growth of their companions and deter aphids and Japanese beetles.
Corn can be planted near beans, cucumbers, early potatoes, melons, peas, pumpkins, soybeans, and squash. Soybeans, in particular, deter chinch bugs.
Cucumbers thrive when planted near beans, cabbage, corn, early potatoes, radishes, and sunflowers. They should be kept away from late potatoes, as they can encourage blight in them. Radishes are particularly effective in deterring cucumber beetles.
Dill is a great companion for broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, lettuce, and onions. It improves the flavor and growth of cabbage family plants, but should be kept away from carrots.
Eggplant can be successfully planted near green beans, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes. Green beans, in particular, deter Colorado potato beetles.
Garlic has many beneficial companions, including cabbage, cane fruits, fruit trees, roses, and tomatoes. It deters Japanese beetles and aphids. A garlic oil spray can be used to deter onion flies, aphids, and ermine moths. Garlic tea helps repel late potato blight. However, garlic should be kept away from peas and beans.
Kale grows well when planted near aromatic herbs, buckwheat, cabbage family, marigolds, and nasturtiums. It should be kept away from pole beans and strawberries.
Kohlrabi does best when planted near cabbage and cauliflower companions (except tomatoes). It should be kept away from fennel, pole beans, and tomatoes, as it can stunt their growth.
Lettuce benefits from being planted near beets, carrots, parsnips, radishes, and strawberries. It tenderizes summer radishes.
Marigolds are fantastic companions for all garden crops. They stimulate vegetable growth and deter bean beetles, aphids, potato bugs, squash bugs, nematodes, and maggots.
Marjoram is a beneficial companion for all garden crops, as it stimulates their growth.
Mustard can be planted near alfalfa cover crops, fruit trees, grapes, and legumes. It stimulates the growth of companion plants.
Nasturtiums are wonderful companions for apples, beans, cabbage family, greenhouse crops, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, and squash. They repel aphids, potato bugs, squash bugs, striped pumpkin beetles, and Mexican bean beetles, and can even destroy white flies in greenhouses.
Onions have many beneficial companions, including beets, cabbage family, carrots, chamomile, and lettuce. They deter most pests, especially maggots. However, they should be kept away from beans and peas.
Oregano is a great companion for all garden crops, as it deters many insect pests.
Parsley does well when planted near corn, roses, and tomatoes.
Parsnips benefit from being grown near onions, radishes, and wormwood. Onions and wormwood help keep root maggots from parsnips.
Peas can be successfully planted near beans, carrots, corn, cucumbers, early potatoes, radishes, and turnips. However, they should be kept away from garlic, leeks, onions, and shallots.
Peppers thrive when planted near basil, carrots, eggplant, onions, parsley, and tomatoes. They should be kept away from fennel and kohlrabi.
Potatoes have numerous beneficial companions, including basil, beans, cabbage family, corn, eggplant, flax, hemp, marigolds, peas, and squash. Hemp deters phytophthora infestans, the pathogen responsible for late potato blight. Basil deters potato beetles, and marigolds, when dug into the crop soil, deter nematodes.
Radishes do well when planted near chervil, cucumbers, lettuce, melons, peas, nasturtiums, and other root crops. They should be kept away from hyssop. Radishes deter cucumber beetles, and chervil can make them hot. Lettuce helps make radishes tender, while nasturtiums improve their flavor.
Rosemary is a beneficial companion for beans, cabbage, and carrots. It repels bean beetles, cabbage moths, and carrot flies.
Sage thrives when planted near cabbage family, carrots, and tomatoes. It deters cabbage moths and carrot flies and invigorates tomato plants. However, it should be kept away from cucumbers.
Soybeans are great companions for corn and potatoes. They choke weeds and enrich the soil.
Spinach grows well when planted near celery, cauliflower, eggplant, and strawberries.
Strawberries benefit from being grown near borage, bush beans, lettuce, pyrethrum, and spinach. However, they should be kept away from the cabbage family.
Sunflowers can be planted near cucumbers to provide a trellis and shelter for shade-loving cucumbers. They should be kept away from potatoes.
Swiss chard thrives when planted near bush beans, kohlrabi, and onions. It should be kept away from pole beans.
Tarragon is a great companion for all garden crops. It improves the flavor and growth of vegetables.
Thyme is a beneficial companion for all garden crops, as it deters cabbage moths.
Tomatoes have many beneficial companions, including asparagus, basil, cabbage family, carrots, gooseberries, mustard, parsley, onions, rosemary, sage, and stinging nettles. They should be kept away from fennel, kohlrabi, potatoes, and walnuts.
Turnips and rutabagas can be successfully planted near peas, but should be kept away from knotweed and mustard, as they inhibit their growth.
Companion planting is not an exact science, and results may vary based on your specific environment and gardening practices. It’s always a good idea to consult with local gardeners and use your own experience to fine-tune your companion planting strategies. By implementing these combinations and experimenting with different companions, you can create a thriving and diverse garden ecosystem. See you in the garden!