Companion Planting: The Secret to Successful Raised Bed Gardening

Table of Contents

Plants That Grow Well Together in Raised Beds

Raised bed gardening has become increasingly popular among gardeners due to its numerous benefits, including better drainage, improved soil quality, and the ability to control pests more effectively. However, to maximize the potential of your raised bed garden, it is essential to practice companion planting. Companion planting is the art of growing different plants alongside each other for mutual benefit.

When correctly, companion planting can improve soil fertility, deter pests, and increase yields. In this blog post, we will explore some plants that grow well together in raised beds, along with their benefits and how to plant them.

1. Tomatoes and Basil

Benefits:

Tomatoes and basil are the perfect companions in a raised bed garden. Basil is known to repel pests such as flies and mosquitoes, while tomatoes attract pests such as aphids and whiteflies. Planting these two together can help deter pests and improve tomato flavor.

Planting Tips:

Plant basil around the base of your tomato plant or in between tomato plants. Make sure to space them at least six inches apart to allow for adequate air circulation.

2. Carrots and Onions

Benefits:

Carrots and onions are another excellent combination for raised bed gardening. Onions are known to repel carrot flies, while carrots can help break up the soil and improve onion growth.

Planting Tips:

Plant onions around the edges of the raised bed and interplant them with carrots. Make sure to keep the soil moist to encourage rapid growth.

3. Peppers and Cilantro

Benefits:

Peppers and cilantro can make excellent companions in your raised bed garden. Cilantro can help repel pests such as aphids, while peppers can benefit from the nitrogen-fixing properties of cilantro.

Planting Tips:

Plant cilantro around the base of your pepper plants or in between pepper plants. Cilantro grows best in cooler temperatures, so consider planting it in early spring or fall.

4. Beans and Radishes

Benefits:

Beans and radishes are a classic combination in companion planting. Radishes can help deter bean beetles, while beans can fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting the radishes.

Planting Tips:

Plant radishes alongside your bean plants, making sure to space them at least six inches apart. Sow radish seeds two weeks before planting your bean seeds.

5. Lettuce and Chives

Benefits:

Lettuce and chives are another excellent combination for raised bed gardening. Chives are known to deter pests such as aphids, while lettuce can benefit from the nutrient-rich soil created by chives.

Planting Tips:

Plant chives around the edges of your raised bed and interplant with lettuce. Make sure to keep the soil moist to encourage rapid growth.

6. Squash and Nasturtiums

Benefits:

Squash and nasturtiums are a fantastic combination for raised bed gardening. Nasturtiums can help deter squash bugs and other pests, while squash can provide shade for the nasturtiums.

Planting Tips:

Plant nasturtiums around the base of your squash plants. Make sure to space them at least six inches apart to allow for adequate air circulation.

7. Broccoli and Dill

Benefits:

Broccoli and dill are a great combination in raised bed gardening. Dill is known to attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs, while broccoli can benefit from the nutrient-rich soil created by dill.

Planting Tips:

Plant dill around the edges of your raised bed and interplant with broccoli. Make sure to keep the soil moist to encourage rapid growth.

8. Cucumbers and Marigolds

Benefits:

Cucumbers and marigolds are another great combination for raised bed gardening. Marigolds can help repel pests such as aphids and nematodes, while cucumbers can provide shade for the marigolds.

Planting Tips:

Plant marigolds around the base of your cucumber plants or in between cucumber plants. Make sure to space them at least six inches apart to allow for adequate air circulation.

9. Beets and Swiss Chard

Benefits:

Beets and Swiss chard can make excellent companions in your raised bed garden. Swiss chard can help deter pests such as leaf miners, while beets can benefit from the nutrient-rich soil created by Swiss chard.

Planting Tips:

Interplant beets and Swiss chard, making sure to space them at least six inches apart. Make sure to keep the soil moist to encourage rapid growth.

10. Kale and Garlic

Benefits:

Kale and garlic are another excellent combination for raised bed gardening. Garlic can help repel pests such as aphids and cabbage worms, while kale can benefit from the nutrient-rich soil created by garlic.

Planting Tips:

Plant garlic around the edges of your raised bed and interplant with kale. Make sure to keep the soil moist to encourage rapid growth.

11. Spinach and Radicchio

Benefits:

Spinach and radicchio are a great combination in raised bed gardening. Radicchio can help deter pests such as snails and slugs, while spinach can benefit from the nutrient-rich soil created by radicchio.

Planting Tips:

Interplant spinach and radicchio, making sure to space them at least six inches apart. Make sure to keep the soil moist to encourage rapid growth.

12. Corn and Beans

Benefits:

Corn and beans are a classic combination in companion planting. Beans can fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting the corn, while corn can provide support for the beans.

Planting Tips:

Plant corn first and then plant beans around the base of the corn plants. Make sure to space the beans at least six inches apart.

13. Eggplant and Marjoram

Benefits:

Eggplant and marjoram can make an excellent combination in your raised bed garden. Marjoram is known to repel pests such as whiteflies, while eggplant can benefit from the nutrient-rich soil created by marjoram.

Planting Tips:

Plant marjoram around the base of your eggplant plants or in between eggplant plants. Make sure to space them at least six inches apart to allow for adequate air circulation.

14. Radishes and Lettuce

Benefits:

Radishes and lettuce are another excellent combination for raised bed gardening. Radishes can help break up compacted soil, allowing the lettuce to grow more easily.

Planting Tips:

Interplant radishes and lettuce, making sure to space them at least six inches apart. Make sure to keep the soil moist to encourage rapid growth.

15. Strawberries and Borage

Benefits:

Strawberries and borage can make an excellent combination in your raised bed garden. Borage is known to attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, while strawberries can provide shade for the borage.

Planting Tips:

Plant borage around the edges of your raised bed and interplant with strawberries. Make sure to space them at least six inches apart to allow for adequate air circulation.

FAQs:

1. What is companion planting?

Companion planting is the art of growing different plants alongside each other for mutual benefit.

2. What are the benefits of companion planting?

Companion planting can improve soil fertility, deter pests, and increase yields.

3. How do I plant tomatoes and basil together?

Plant basil around the base of your tomato plant or in between tomato plants. Make sure to space them at least six inches apart to allow for adequate air circulation.

4. Which plants are good companions for carrots?

Onions are known to repel carrot flies, making them a great companion for carrots.

5. Can I plant cucumbers and marigolds together?

Yes, marigolds can help repel pests such as aphids and nematodes, while cucumbers can provide shade for the marigolds.

In companion planting is an excellent technique to improve your raised bed garden's health and productivity. By choosing plants that grow well together in raised beds, you can reap the benefits of increased yields and improved soil fertility. Remember to keep your soil moist and adequately spaced to encourage rapid growth. Happy gardening!

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