Companion planting is a simple way to optimize space, deter pests, and improve yields in your garden. Taking the time to pair your plants near plants that will help them thrive can lead to bountiful results. Keep reading for a detailed companion planting guide for edible gardens.
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What Is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is the act of planting different plant species next to other plants that will benefit them in a positive way. Instead of planting the same crop continuously in a row, you can intersperse specifically-chosen plants throughout the row.
Why Companion Planting?
Companion planting has significant benefits. It is an excellent way to maximize space in your garden if you don’t have endless room for planting single-variety rows.
In addition, companion plants can improve the health of your soil. For example, you could plant a root vegetable such as carrots or radish to loosen up the soil around beans or lettuce.
Furthermore, if your soil is in need of more nitrogen, you can plant beans, peas, or clover to help correct the issue. Plants that are heavy feeders such as lettuce, brassicas, or rhubarb need a significant amount of nitrogen, and well-chosen companion plants can help with this.
A Companion Planting Guide for Fruits and Vegetables
While this is not an extensive list, here are some companion plant suggestions for fruits, vegetables, and herbs in your edible garden.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes can be finicky, but with the right conditions and care they can thrive. Additionally, tomatoes need well-drained soil, plenty of sunlight, consistent watering, and significant amounts of nitrogen.
Basil, carrots, celery, chives, garlic, lettuce, marigolds, nasturtiums, onions, parsley, and peppers are all excellent companion plants for tomatoes. Many of these companions can help deter pests and loosen up the soil for tomato roots to grow deep.
However, you should avoid planting them near cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, potatoes, fennel, and corn. Tomatoes are susceptible to the same pests as nightshades and they compete for nutrients with brassicas.
Brassicas
Brassicas include a variety of popular vegetables such as broccoli, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.
You can plant many brassicas together as long as you give them enough space. Brassicas benefit from celery, dill, beets, onions, chamomile, oregano, spinach, sage, rosemary, thyme, mint, and nasturtiums.
While aromatic herbs help deter pests that lead to cabbage worms, plants such as strawberries, tomatoes, and pole beans should be avoided near brassicas.
Carrots
Carrots are a root vegetable that require well-drained soil. Because they grow under the soil, they need soil that is not compacted so that they can grow deep.
Some good carrot companion plants include onions, leeks, lettuce, peas, rosemary, sage, chives, tomatoes. Many of these plants aid in deterring pests, improving the soil, and improving the overall carrot flavor.
You should not plant carrots near dill, parsnips, celery, fennel, and potatoes due to similar pests and diseases in addition to different soil needs.
Peppers
Similar to tomatoes, peppers need lots of sun, well-drained soil, consistent water, and plenty of nitrogen.
They benefit from companions such as basil, carrots, onions, spinach, lettuce, and marjoram, nasturtiums, and parsley. However, they should not be planted near fennel, beans, brassicas, or nightshades because of nutrient competition and pests.
Beans
Although pole and bush beans are different sizes when mature, they both need plenty of sun and well-drained soil. Corn, cucumbers, radishes, marigolds, and nasturtiums are excellent companions for beans. However, they do not grow well with onions, garlic, or fennel.
Corn
Corn is one of the most well-known companion plants. Have you ever heard of the three sisters planting method? If you plant beans, corn, and squash together, the corn acts as a natural trellis for the beans, the beans improve nitrogen in the soil, and the squash acts as a natural mulch to keep the weeds at bay.
Other companions for corn include cucumbers, melons, and sunflowers. However, tomatoes and celery should be avoided.
Squash
Squash such as zucchini, pumpkin, and winter squash thrive when planted near corn, beans, nasturtiums, marigolds, and radishes. They should not be planted near potatoes because they both produce large plants that compete for water and nutrients.
Radishes
Radishes can be grown alongside many other plants due to their ability to help with pest control and improve the soil. They are excellent companions for carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, beans, peas, and nasturtiums. But, do not plant them with hyssop.
Strawberries
Strawberries are a delicious perennial that do well planted with rhubarb, lettuce, spinach, onions, borage, and thyme. They also make an excellent ground cover when utilized in food forests. However, do not plant them with cabbage, broccoli, or cauliflower because they compete for resources which leads to stunted growth.
Melons
Melons such as watermelon and cantaloupe are delicious fruits that can quickly overtake your entire garden. Avoid planting them near potatoes, but plant them near corn, radishes, marigolds, and nasturtiums for best results.
Blueberries
Blueberries can be a bit finicky because they require full sun, well-drained soil, in addition to acidic soil. They also benefit from lots of mulch to help them retain moisture. Plant them near azaleas, rhododendrons, and thyme. Avoid planting them near plants that require different soil pH such as nightshades and brassicas.
Herbs Companion Planting Guide
Herbs are excellent garden additions that are loved for their flavor, fragrance, and home remedies. They can also help support other plants in your garden. Here are some herb companion plant ideas.
Basil pairs well with tomatoes, peppers, oregano, and parsley. Avoid planting it next to rue. Dill is delicious when added to homemade pickles. Plant it near cabbage, lettuce, cucumbers, and onions. Avoid placing it near carrots and tomatoes. Chives thrive near carrots, tomatoes, roses, and lettuce. They should not be planted near beans and peas.
Parsley, commonly used in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Brazilian, Italian, and American cuisines, is best planted with tomatoes, carrots, asparagus, and chives but not lettuce. Cilantro, on the other hand, pairs well with spinach, dill, and anise. It should not be planted near fennel.
Companion Planting Guide Tips
Here are a few more companion planting guide tips to consider when planting your garden.
Trap Crops
Trap crops act as a decoy. They lure in insects, keeping them away from the plants you are trying to protect.
Some common trap crops include marigolds, nasturtiums, radishes, mustard, and amaranth. Using trap craps is one alternative to pesticides.
Aromatic Herbs
Aromatic herbs such as basil, rosemary, and thyme can help keep pests away due to their strong scent.
Nitrogen Fixers
Heavy feeders such as corn and tomatoes need a lot of nitrogen to thrive. Plants like beans, beas, clover, alfalfa, and lentils can help add nitrogen back into the soil.
You could even utilize cover crops in the off-season. Plant these crops after harvest, and then till them into the soil or use them as a natural mulch come spring.
Shade Providers
Finally, if you are planting fruits and vegetables that require some shade, you can plant tall plants like sunflowers or corn to help protect the plants below.
Lettuce, peas, Brussels sprouts, and radish all benefit from the shade.
Garden Planning Tips
If you are looking for more tips for starting a garden, check out The New Homesteader’s Handbook and my Garden Planning Journal. The handbook will teach you beginner homesteading skills such as different gardening techniques, while the journal will help you plan and organize your garden.
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