Companion planting is when two or more plants are grown near each other to benefit one of those plants or both. This is done as a tried-and-tested method to reduce pests, attract pollinators, and boost growth!
Continue reading for a quick breakdown on some common companion planting methods and examples.
Benefits of Companion Planting:
Deterring pests: Certain plants act as insect repellents or deter critters. For example, garlic’s smell is unappealing to many common garden pests.
Attracting beneficial insects: Many plants also attract beneficial insects. For example, borage attracts pollinating bees and tiny pest-eating wasps.
Shade regulation: Large taller plants can provide shade for smaller plants needing sun protection. For example, corn shades lettuce.
Natural supports: Tall sturdy plants, such as corn and sunflowers, can support lower-growing, trailing plants such as cucumbers and peas.
Improving soil fertility: Some crops, like beans, peas, and other legumes, help to make nitrogen more available in the soil. These are known as “Nitrogen Fixers” and help to improve the soil health for other plants growing nearby.
Weed suppression: Planting dense sprawling crops like potatoes with tall, upright plants minimizes open areas, where weeds can typically take hold.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers pair well with cucumbers, pole beans, peas and other climbing plants. Sunflowers help provide support for climbing plants. Sunflowers also pair well with plants prone to sun-stress, such as lettuce. The tall stocks can provide shade for crops, which, in hotter climates, can become sun-stressed.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums can be used as a “Sacrificial Plant” as they can attract hungry caterpillars away from brassicas like cabbage, broccoli, and kale, so grow these pretty flowers close to those crops to deter them from your precious veggies!
Mint
Mint can deter aphids, ants, and flea beetles. Just be careful to plant mint nearby in its own pot or bed, as it is a very aggressive grower that can quickly take over.
Looking for a quick reference for veggie garden companion planting? Look no further! Check out our downloadable (and printable) guide here.
Shout out to our friends over at West Coast Seeds, who are a wealth of knowledge on this subject. If you’re looking for more information on companion planting, check out their resources here.
Happy Gardening!
Marigolds
Marigolds have a distinct smell that not everything is a fan of! Bugs such as aphids, cabbage moths, and flea beetles do not like the strong scent they provide. Not only insects, but deer and rabbits have been known to avoid Marigolds as well! Plant Marigolds around plants you’re trying to protect as a natural barrier against many garden pests.
Dill
Dill has been known to attract ladybugs, which eat small garden pests such as aphids and spider mites. Dill can also be used as a “Sacrificial Plant” as it also attracts aphids. Plant dill alongside peppers, as these are especially prone to pesky aphids!
Garlic
Garlic has a strong scent that deters many insects. Aphids, for example, can’t stand garlic! Plant garlic between rows of potatoes as well as alongside lettuces and cabbages and near fruit trees, together with alyssum, to prevent aphids and other pesky insects such as Cabbage moths.
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