Best Garden Companion Plants

Table of Contents

Gardening can be a challenging task, but it is also one of the most rewarding hobbies out there. The key is to choose the right plants that will thrive in your garden and complement each other. Companion planting is a popular gardening technique where two or more plants are grown together for mutual benefits. In this blog post, we will explore the best garden companion plants that you can grow to maximize your garden's potential.

What are Companion Plants?

Companion plants are plants that are grown together for mutual benefits. When certain plants are grown together, they can help each other by repelling pests, attracting beneficial insects, improving soil health, and enhancing growth. For example, some plants like marigold can repel harmful nematodes, while others like basil can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Top 15 Best Garden Companion Plants

1. Tomatoes and Basil

Tomatoes and basil are classic companions in the garden. Basil is known to repel flies and mosquitoes, while tomatoes benefit from the essential oils found in basil. Growing them together can improve the taste of your tomatoes and deter pests.

How to Plant:

Plant basil seeds around the base of the tomato plant after the last frost. Make sure the basil gets enough sunlight and water regularly.

2. Carrots and Onions

Carrots and onions are great companions because they improve each other's flavor and deter pests like carrot flies and onion maggots.

How to Plant:

Plant carrot seeds and onion sets together in the same bed. Onion sets should be planted first, followed by carrot seeds a few weeks later.

3. Cucumbers and Radishes

Cucumbers and radishes are great companions because radishes can deter cucumber beetles and other pests that attack cucumbers. Radishes also help to loosen the soil, making it easier for the cucumber roots to grow.

How to Plant:

Plant cucumber seeds and radish seeds together in the same bed. Make sure the soil is well-drained and fertile.

4. Peppers and Marigolds

Peppers and marigolds are great companions because marigolds can repel harmful nematodes that attack pepper plants. Marigolds also attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.

How to Plant:

Plant marigold seeds around the base of the pepper plant after the last frost. Make sure the marigolds get enough sunlight and water regularly.

5. Beans and Potatoes

Beans and potatoes are great companions because they both benefit from nitrogen-fixing bacteria found in the bean roots. This helps to improve soil health and increase yield.

How to Plant:

Plant beans and potatoes together in the same bed. Make sure the soil is well-drained and fertile.

6. Corn and Squash

Corn and squash are great companions because squash plants can act as living mulch, preventing weeds from growing around the corn plants. The corn plants also provide support for the squash vines to climb.

How to Plant:

Plant corn and squash together in the same bed. Make sure the corn plants are tall enough to provide support for the squash vines.

7. Lettuce and Chives

Lettuce and chives are great companions because chives can deter pests like aphids, while lettuce benefits from the nutrients found in chives.

How to Plant:

Plant chive seeds around the base of the lettuce plant. Make sure the soil is well-drained and fertile.

8. Broccoli and Nasturtiums

Broccoli and nasturtiums are great companions because nasturtiums can attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies, which prey on harmful pests that attack broccoli plants.

How to Plant:

Plant nasturtium seeds around the base of the broccoli plant. Make sure the soil is well-drained and fertile.

9. Beets and Garlic

Beets and garlic are great companions because garlic can repel pests like leafhoppers and beetles that attack beets. Garlic also helps to improve soil health.

How to Plant:

Plant garlic bulbs around the base of the beet plant. Make sure the soil is well-drained and fertile.

10. Kale and Dill

Kale and dill are great companions because dill can attract beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps, which prey on harmful pests that attack kale plants.

How to Plant:

Plant dill seeds around the base of the kale plant. Make sure the soil is well-drained and fertile.

11. Eggplants and Calendula

Eggplants and calendula are great companions because calendula can repel harmful nematodes that attack eggplant plants. Calendula also attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.

How to Plant:

Plant calendula seeds around the base of the eggplant plant after the last frost. Make sure the calendula gets enough sunlight and water regularly.

12. Pumpkins and Borage

Pumpkins and borage are great companions because borage can repel pests like tomato hornworms that attack pumpkin plants. Borage also attracts beneficial insects like bees.

How to Plant:

Plant borage seeds around the base of the pumpkin plant after the last frost. Make sure the borage gets enough sunlight and water regularly.

13. Spinach and Radicchio

Spinach and radicchio are great companions because radicchio can deter pests like slugs and snails that attack spinach plants. Radicchio also benefits from the nutrients found in spinach.

How to Plant:

Plant radicchio seeds around the base of the spinach plant. Make sure the soil is well-drained and fertile.

14. Sweet Potatoes and Oregano

Sweet potatoes and oregano are great companions because oregano can repel pests like sweet potato weevils that attack sweet potato plants. Oregano also improves soil health.

How to Plant:

Plant oregano seeds around the base of the sweet potato plant. Make sure the soil is well-drained and fertile.

15. Zucchini and Nasturtiums

Zucchini and nasturtiums are great companions because nasturtiums can attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies, which prey on harmful pests that attack zucchini plants.

How to Plant:

Plant nasturtium seeds around the base of the zucchini plant. Make sure the soil is well-drained and fertile.

Companion planting is an effective way to improve the health and productivity of your garden. By choosing the right plants to grow together, you can deter pests, attract beneficial insects, improve soil health, and enhance growth. Try experimenting with different combinations of companion plants in your garden to see what works best for you.

FAQs

Q1. What are the benefits of companion planting?

Companion planting has several benefits, including pest control, improved soil health, increased yield, and enhanced growth.

Q2. Can I plant any plants together as companions?

Not all plants make good companions. Some plants may compete for nutrients, while others may attract harmful pests. It's important to do some research before planting any combination of plants.

Q3. How do I know which plants make good companions?

There are many resources available online and in gardening books that provide information on which plants make good companions. You can also experiment with different combinations to see what works best for you.

Q4. Do I need to use pesticides with companion planting?

Companion planting can help to reduce the need for pesticides, but it may not eliminate the need entirely. It's important to monitor your garden regularly and use pesticides only when necessary.

Q5. Can I use companion planting in a container garden?

Yes, you can use companion planting in a container garden. Just make sure the plants you choose have similar growing requirements and don't overcrowd the container.

Image best garden companion plants

companion planting chart Companion planting chart Companion planting

Ask the Expert What Is the Best Way to Store Tomatoes Organic

Companion Planting 101 Companion planting chart Companion planting

17 Best images about Gardening Companion Planting on Pinterest

Companion Planting 101 Companion planting chart Companion planting

first year help with layout Garden layout vegetable Square foot

Gardening for Dummies Companion Planting Free Printable Companion

What to Plant Now January Garden in 2021 Companion planting chart

companion planting chart Companion planting vegetables Garden layout

what herbs grow well together companion planting herbs Planting