Companion planting is a gardening technique that is used to maximize plant growth and health while minimizing pest and disease problems. By planting certain combinations of plants together, you can create a more diverse and balanced ecosystem that supports the growth of all plants in the garden. In this post, we will explore the benefits of companion planting and discuss some of the most common plant combinations. Don’t miss the link to my companion planting chart at the bottom of the page and start incorporating companion planting into your garden plans this year!
Benefits of companion planting
Deter pests: One of the primary benefits of companion planting is pest control. Certain plants produce natural chemicals that repel insects, and planting them alongside vegetables can help deter pests. For example, marigolds produce a strong scent that repels some pests, and planting them around vegetables like tomatoes and peppers can help protect them from harmful insects.
Improve soil: Some plants fix nitrogen in the soil, making it more available for other plants to use. For example, beans and peas are nitrogen fixers, and planting them with other vegetables can help improve soil fertility.
Attract pollinators:
Creating a diverse habitat provides food, shelter, and nesting sites for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Maximize garden space:
By planting crops with different root depths together, you can maximize the use of vertical space and create a more productive garden. Plants with height can provide shade for smaller, heat-sensitive plants.
Weed control:
Companion plants can be used to cover bare garden soil and prevent weeds from growing there in that space.
Common Companions
Certain plants can provide benefits regardless of where they are placed in your garden, other plant combinations are more tailored to specific needs. To begin, we will review some of the most frequently used companion plants.
Marigolds: Marigolds, specifically Calendula, are one of my favorite companion plants. They can be used almost anywhere in your garden! Some especially great companions for marigolds include tomatoes, potatoes, beans, and squash. They can help to deter unwanted insects, as well as act as a trap crop for some others. They attract both pollinators and predatory insects that can eat some of the unwanted pests. Added bonus-Marigold flowers can be made into salves and oils, great for sensitive skin, and can even be consumed!
Nasturtium: Nasturtiums provide many of the same benefits as Marigolds and their vibrant colors are attractive for pollinators. They are an especially great deterrent for aphids and cucumber beetles. These plants are also edible! We enjoy them in salads and on pizza.
Garlic, Mint, and Dill: These are popular companion plants because of their scent. Mint and garlic are known to repel aphids while dill attracts ladybugs who prey on many unwanted pests. Check my companion planting chart to see the few vegetables that don’t like the company of these plants.
Some winning companion combinations that I use every year:
Squash and Dill: Dill attracts pollinators to the squash flowers.
Marigolds and Brassicas: Marigolds deter pests from Brassicas.
Radish and Carrots: They can be planted closely because carrots grow down into the soil while radish roots are very shallow.
Peppers and Chives/Onions: Alliums deter aphids away from the pepper plants.
Brassicas and Radish: The radish can act as a trap crop for pests.
Happy Growing!
