Companion Planting: Plant these Vegetables Together in Your Garden
Companion planting isn’t just a trendy buzzword—it’s a natural way to get the most out of your garden. By planting certain vegetables together, you can create a more effective garden where each plant benefits from growing alongside the others. These combinations can help with pest control, improve growth, and even give your veggies a better flavor. Here is a short list of some of the best vegetable pairings to plant together if you want to have an even better harvest this year.
Tomatoes and Basil
There’s a reason why tomatoes and basil are such a classic culinary pairing—they’re fantastic garden friends! Basil helps keep away pests like aphids and whiteflies, which love to eat tomatoes. In return, tomatoes provide shade for basil’s delicate leaves during hot weather. When grown together they don’t just taste great, but also keep each other healthier. So, plant them side by side to give both your meals and your garden a nice boost.
Carrots and Onions
Carrots and onions are a dream team when it comes to keeping pests away. The strong scent of onions helps stop carrot flies, which are known for damaging carrot crops. Meanwhile, carrots can grow best in the slightly shaded conditions that onions provide, especially during warmer months. By planting these two together, you’re creating a natural, chemical-free pest control system while getting the most out of your garden space.
Peas and Radishes
Peas and radishes might seem like an unusual pair, but they grow really well together. Radishes grow quickly and help loosen the soil around peas, helping their roots to spread easily. The peas, in turn, act as a natural support for the radishes, keeping them raised and away from hungry pests. This combination makes them perfect to plant in a spring garden, where both crops can thrive before the summer heat hits.
Cabbage and Dill
Cabbage and dill are a powerful pairing, especially when it comes to protecting cabbage from pests. Dill attracts helpful insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps that prey on the cabbage worms and other insects that like to eat cabbage plants. Dill’s strong smell can also confuse pests, keeping them away from your cabbage. So, plant them together if you want to enjoy a healthier, pest-free cabbage crop.
Corn and Beans
The practice of growing corn and beans together is often referred to as the "Three Sisters" planting method, and has been used by indigenous peoples for hundreds of years. Beans climb the tall corn stalks, taking away the need to use trellises, while beans add nitrogen to the soil, improving its fertility for the corn. This natural partnership makes them the perfect pair. Add some squash to the mix, and you have a garden trio that works together to nourish the soil and each other.
Lettuce and Radishes
Planting lettuce and radishes together is a great way to do more with your garden space. Lettuce grows slowly, providing shade to the soil, while radishes grow quickly and don’t need much attention. Radishes can be harvested early, making room for the lettuce to continue growing without having to fight for space. This pair is particularly useful if you have a small garden where every inch counts.
Garlic and Roses
This might seem like an odd pairing, but it works. Garlic is often planted to ward off pests like aphids, which can damage roses. By growing garlic near your roses, you create a natural barrier that keeps these pests out without having to use harsh chemicals. Plus, the strong scent of garlic doesn’t hurt the sweet smell of the roses, so don’t worry about giving someone a garlic-smelling bouquet. It’s a simple, no-cost way to keep your roses healthy and vibrant.
Spinach and Strawberries
Spinach and strawberries make an excellent pair, especially in the warmer months. Spinach provides shade for the strawberries’ delicate roots, keeping them cool and helping them survive in the heat. At the same time, the strawberries grow low to the ground, giving spinach enough room to spread out as it grows. This combination also encourages the soil to hold moisture better, making sure that both plants stay hydrated during hot spells.
A Balanced, Beautiful Garden
Companion planting is a smart, sustainable way to make your garden better. By carefully choosing the right plant pairings, you can encourage healthier plants, keep pests away, and save space. People have been doing this for hundreds of years, so clearly it works! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, companion planting is one of the best things you can do to get more out of your garden without spending a dime. So, next time you're planning your garden, think about how these vegetables can work together to bring a little harmony to your home.