Avoid Planting Some Vegetables Near Each Other Just like people have likes and dislikes, vegetables actually have likes and dislikes as well, particularly for their "next door neighbors" planted alongside them in the garden. Easy Reference of Which Vegetables Grow Well Together The chart below provides quick and easy references for not only which vegetables grow well together, but which to avoid planting together. Other Companions for Vegetables Many old-fashioned vegetable gardens, which are also called kitchen gardens, mixed vegetables, herbs and flowers together.
Marigolds Marigolds repel many species of insects. Herbs Herbs add flavor to foods, and they can also discourage harmful insects. Nasturtium and rosemary deter beetles that attack beans. Thyme repels the cabbage worm.
Chives and garlic deter aphids. Oregano , like marigolds, is a good all-purpose plant for the organic gardener who wants to deter most insect pests. Reap the Benefits Companion planting offers every gardener the chance to harness the power of nature for higher yields as well as natural, organic insect control. What Are the Easiest Foods to Grow? How to Grow Brussels Sprouts. By Colleen Vanderlinden. How to Grow Eggplant. Vegetable Gardening in Austin, Texas. What are Companion Plants?
Benefits of Companion Planting There are many benefits to companion planting. Natural Supports — Plants and flowers that grow tall and strong will lend themselves as natural, organic supports to crops that grow low or sprawl. An example of this would be planting tall sunflowers next to cucumbers or snap peas. The sprawling crops can use the taller plants as a trellis.
Plant Health — Growing plants next to their companions can improve the overall health of both plants. By eliminating competition between plants, you allow one to absorb what it may need without depriving the other.
Additionally, as nutrients are pulled from the soil by one plant, the result can actually change the entire biochemistry of the soil. And when done right, the soil can then change or improve the flavor of other plants in the area.
Plants with long taproots like parsnips and carrots will lift nutrients from the depths of the soil. The nutrients can then benefit those plants with shallow root systems. Nitrogen is also important to many plants, and some, such as peas and beans, actually help to draw nitrogen in, making it more available in the soil for the plants that need it.
Prevent Weeds — Alternating upright plants and sprawling ones can create a thicker cover across the majority of the open land in your garden area, which will ultimately prevent weeds. Companion planting can help prevent this by offering shelter as taller plants protect smaller ones. The same is true for wind. The taller and larger plants will offer protection from harsh winds. Popular Companion Plants for Vegetables Dill and Basil — Dill and basil are natural protectants for tomato plants, keeping away the dreaded hornworm.
Marigolds — One of the best companion plants out there, marigolds help virtually any vegetable. They are particularly helpful for tomatoes, repelling the nematodes that like to attack the roots of vegetables. Mint — Mint repels both ants and cabbage moths.
Nasturtiums — Nasturtiums help prevent insects, particularly aphids, from attacking other plants. Aphids love Nasturtiums and will surround them instead of their neighboring plants. Sage — Another helpful herb in the garden, sage can protect from cabbage moths.
Zinnias — Zinnias are excellent companion plants and attract ladybugs into the garden. Ladybugs are known to control unwanted pests like cabbage flies. Companion Planting Chart Type of Vegetable Friends Enemies Special Notes Asparagus Basil, carrots, coriander, dill, marigolds, parsley, tomatoes Garlic, onions, potatoes Marigolds, parsley and tomatoes protect against asparagus beetles. Basil Asparagus, beans, beets, bell peppers, cabbage, chili peppers, eggplant, marigolds, oregano, potatoes, tomatoes Rue When basil is grown about 1 foot from tomato plants, it will increase the tomatoes yield.
It also improves the flavor of lettuce. Beans Beets, carrots, chard, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, peas, radishes Garlic, onions Nasturtiums and rosemary deter bean beetles Beets Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, kohlrabi, onions Charlock, field mustard, pole beans Pole beans and beets will compete for growth.
Composted beet leaves add magnesium to soil when mixed. Magnesium plays an important role in photosynthesis. Broccoli Basil, beets, bush beans, carrots, celery, chamomile, cucumber, dill, garlic, lettuce, marigolds, mint, nasturtiums, onions, radishes, rosemary, sage, spinach, Swiss chard, thyme Asparagus, cantaloupe, climbing beans, mustard, peppers, pumpkins, strawberries, sweet corn, watermelon Rosemary repels the cabbage fly that is detrimental to broccoli.
Cabbage Beets, celery, chard, lettuce, spinach, onions Kohlrabi, tomatoes Hyssop, mint, and sage deter cabbage moths Carrots Beans, lettuce, onions, peas, peppers, tomatoes Dill Chives improve flavor, rosemary deters carrot flies Corn Climbing beans, cucumber, marjoram, peas, pumpkins, squash, sunflowers, zucchini Tomatoes Tomato worms and corn earworms like both plants. Beans and peas supply nitrogen. Onions Cabbage, carrots, chard, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes Beans, peas Chamomile improves growth and flavor Potatoes Basil, beans, celery, corn, garlic, horseradish, lettuce, marigolds, onions, peas, radishes, spinach Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, kohlrabi, melons, peppers, raspberries, squash, sunflowers, strawberries, tomatoes Cucumbers, tomatoes and raspberries attract harmful pests to potatoes.
Nasturtiums can be used as a trap plant to entice aphids away from beans. Lovage and rosemary also have excellent insect repellent qualities. Sunflowers can be used to create shade for sun-stressed crops. Pole beans can also provide structural support for tall corn. Foes: Dill can reduce the yield of carrots. Dill , coriander , celery , and other members of the Parsley family should not be planted near carrots they tend to cross pollinate.
Note: Tansy is considered invasive in some areas. See local guidelines before planting. Foes : Do not plant near garlic and onion , as they will stunt the growth of peas. Beans can improve the size of potato tubers. Cilantro is thought to protect against aphids, spider mites and potato beetles.
Calendula , tansy , and horseradish planted at the corner of a potato patch wards off Colorado potato beetles. Catmint also repels Colorado potato beetles, but can bring cats into the vegetable garden, so it is a good idea to plant it in pots around the edge of the plot.
Foes: Potatoes tend to be smaller when planted with corn, which is also a heavy feeder. Note : Pumpkins do grow well with other winter squash, as they have the same growing requirements. Figuring out a garden plan that integrates companion planting is traditionally challenging. But the new companion planting feature in our online Almanac Garden Planner lets you select the perfect matches for your plants.
When you select a vegetable crop, you simply click on a heart-shaped Companion Planting button. The selection bar will then show only suitable companion plants. Easy peasy! Learn more in this video and try the Garden Planner out for yourself with our free 7-day trial. We hope you find ways for companion planting to help improve your growing!
Correct spacing, sun, water, and good soil management are the most important influences on your growing — think of companion planting as a bonus! Just getting started with gardening or need a refresher course? Check out our Vegetable Gardening for Beginners how-to page. Need plant-specific growing advice? Read through our many Growing Guides for vegetables, fruit, flowers, and herbs. Hi I am ozzy my companion pairs are tomatoes and cucumber. I was told that planting more that one crops was beneficial but i didn't know how beneficial it was until i read this article, now it makes sense.
Skip to main content. By Catherine Boeckmann. June 3, What do you want to read next? Companion Planting With Herbs. Organic Pesticides: 5 Natural Ways Vegetable Gardening for Beginners. Crop Rotation Tips for