Most people plant their gardens with little thought as to what plants develop well together. The secret to an amazing garden, though? Companion planting!
Companion planting not solely takes nutrient uptake into consideration, however it additionally brings into account crop protection, pest administration and positive internet hosting (aka. increasing the inhabitants of beneficial bugs that will assist handle your dangerous pest population).
For this very reason I created an interactive companion planting chart that will assist you plant the perfect backyard (and maybe even make your neighbors a little jealous!). But earlier than we get into that, we have to perceive what companion planting is, and why it really works so successfully!
What is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is the practice of planting two or extra plants collectively for mutual benefit. For example, sure plants might be grown collectively to assist every different meet their nutrient requirements, growth habits, or pest-repelling abilities.
While a lot of the companion planting knowledge we have today has been discovered through trial and error, the space you reside in ought to even be taken into consideration. This is why it's always recommended to hunt out the recommendation of native gardeners and even your neighbors to see what has labored best for them.
A classic instance of companion planting comes from the Three Sisters trio – maize, climbing beans, and winter squash – which were often planted collectively by various Indigenous Nations throughout North America.
Three Sisters Garden
The Three Sisters backyard takes into consideration the three plants’ complementary natures: the tall corn stalks assist support the climbing beans, whereas the squash stays low to assist shade the space with its large leaves. The shade helps discourage weeds and pests, and the fast-growing beans assist present nitrogen to the soil, which is required by the corn and squash.
If you know something about corn, you’d know that it has a high nutrient requirement, meaning that it can deplete the soil of vitamins if left unchecked. Planting legumes (like beans – particularly climbers that may climb the corn stalks) alongside corn helps mitigate this problem by enhancing the availability of the important thing nutrient – nitrogen – within the soil. They assist make nitrogen available within the soil by cultivating beneficial bacteria. These micro organism pull nitrogen from the air, and convert it proper into a form that the corn and squash can use to develop even stronger (1).
The squash’s broad leaves act like mulch in a sense, as they protect against the hot sun, and present a barrier to weeds within the garden. The prickly hairs on the squash additionally assist reduce predation within the backyard from rodents or different creatures that might want to feast in your crop.
Like the Three Sisters trio, there are many different combinations that work well together. For example, pairing nitrogen fixing plants with plants that harbor mycorrhizal fungi. Similar to nitrogen-fixing bacteria, mycorrhizae encompass plant roots, however rather than fixing nitrogen, they draw up different vitamins from the soil (like calcium, potassium and phosphorous). In exchange for these nutrients, the fungi are allowed to live in a mutually beneficial relationship with the plant roots they live within.
Bush beans (with nitrogen-fixing bacteria) can be complemented by mycorrhizal radish and non-mycorrhizal spinach. The bush beans present shade for the spinach, and the radishes enhance nutrient availability and minimize insect damage to spinach by permitting pests to munch on their leaves rather than the spinach leaves. This is solely one mixture of many, and the possibilities are endless (as you’ll quickly see!).
Benefits of Companion Planting
There are so many advantages of companion planting, a few of which I’ve already talked about above. Aside from making vitamins available to different plants (and thus making them style better), companion planting additionally achieves the subsequent (2):
1. Minimizes Risk
If one crop fails or is affected by harsh weather, pests or disease, the general yield of your plot could even be elevated by limiting the spread. To minimize risk, you’ll want to focus on creating the best pure growth patterns and variety in your space. Avoid large monocultures (for example, a giant plot of tomatoes in a single section), and instead focus on polycultures that mimick the way plants would develop in nature.
2. Crop Protection
Companion planting can offer shelter from harsh climate (like lots of wind or an excessive amount of sun) to extra delicate plants. Growing delicate plants subsequent to extra heartier ones which have the foliage and strength to withstand such conditions will assure the expansion success of your smaller plants.
3. Trap Cropping
Companion planting additionally offers the best pure pest management. If one crop is extra susceptible to pest infestation, try planting beneficial plants subsequent to that crop that the pests despise. This will assist in defending the pest-vulnerable plants.
4. Positive Hosting
By planting your fruit and veggies subsequent to plants (like sure flowers) that produce a surplus of nectar and pollen, you can increase the inhabitants of beneficial bugs whereas serving to you handle your dangerous pest population.
Companion Planting Chart
Use this companion planting chart as a information so as that you can design your backyard so as to have higher success! I desired to make it interactive and fun, because most companion planting charts are difficult to learn and make you go kinda crazy!
Keep in thoughts that you don’t want to have your backyard look precisely like this, however that is solely one plan I got here up with. You could additionally include some Hugelkultur raised beds to the plan to maximise backyard production. The sky’s the limit, simply make sure the teams on this chart are kept collectively to make sure your plants keep happy and healthy.
If you’re interested in rising an organic, non-GMO garden, be certain to take a look at my article on seventy seven heirloom seed companies to buy from this season.
Amaranth should be planted with corn to shade the soil and retain water. It additionally helps attract predatory floor beetles.
Asparagus can be planted with basil, cilantro, dill, marigolds, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, peppers, sage, thyme and tomatoes. Asparagus actually repels nematodes that assault tomato plants, and tomatoes repel asparagus beetles.
Apples and Apricots surprisingly like to be planted subsequent to garlic, however it makes sense. Garlic helps repel pests simply like the fruit tree bore, aphids and mites. The tree roots additionally absorb sulfur produced by the garlic, making the tree extra resistant to fungus, mold and black spot. Marigolds are one other winner for fruit trees, as they assist attract pollinators (which then pollinate the flowers of the fruit trees). These flowers additionally assist discourage nematodes within the soil, which beneficial for fruit trees.
Basil is a nice herb to plant subsequent to tomatoes to assist enhance their flavor. It additionally helps repel aphids, asparagus beetles, mites, flies, mosquitoes and tomato horn worm. For this reason, it ought to even be planted subsequent to asparagus. Basil additionally works good when planted subsequent to oregano and peppers.
Beans are all nitrogen fixers of the soil, so they want to be planted subsequent to plants of the Brassica family, carrots, celery, chard, corn, cucumber, eggplant, peas, potatoes, radish and strawberries. Avoid planting close to chives, garlic, leeks and onion (they don’t like them!). Beets and pole beans ought to even be avoided subsequent to every different as they can stunt every others growth.
Beets can be planted subsequent to bush beans, Brassicas, corn, garlic, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mint and potatoes. Avoid planting beets subsequent to pole beans.
Borage is a wonderful flower and companion too many plants. It deters tomato hornworm and cabbage moth caterpillars – so make sure you plant them subsequent to tomatoes and cabbages! Borage additionally attracts pollinators, so plant it round plants that want pollinating like squash, melons, and cucumbers. It is additionally nice for the soil and compost.
Bok Choy may expertise improved growth and well being whether it's planted alongside beets, bush beans, carrots, chamomile, chard, cucumbers, dill, kale, lettuce mint, nasturtiums, potatoes, sage and spinach.
Brassicas like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi and turnip all profit from chamomile, cilantro, dill, mint, rosemary and sage. Broccoli particularly likes being planted subsequent to potatoes for improved taste (however, some web sites note that the 2 prefer different soil pH – so try this mixture your self to see the way it works!). Cauliflower additionally likes to be planted subsequent to celery, since the strong scent of celery helps repel Brassica butterflies that may often destroy an entire cauliflower crop!
Carrots plant well with beans, Brassicas, chives, leeks, lettuce, onions, peppers, pole beans, radish, rosemary, sage, and tomatoes (quite the companion plant!). Avoid planting subsequent to dill, parsnips and potatoes, though. Tomatoes will bring out the flavour in carrots, however your carrots might be smaller as tomatoes and carrots compete for soil nutrients.
Cherries love garlic simply like apples and apricots (and for a similar reasons). Garlic helps repel pests simply like the fruit tree bore, aphids and mites. The tree roots additionally absorb sulfur produced by the garlic, making the tree extra resistant to fungus, mold and black spot. Marigolds additionally plant well with cherries, serving to to draw pollinators.
Chives do nice when planted subsequent to tomatoes and carrots, because it helps bring out their flavors. Also works well when planted subsequent to Brassicas. Chives repel aphids, carrot rust flies and Japanese beetles. They shouldn't be planted subsequent to beans and peas.
Cilantro repels aphids, potato beetles, and spider mites.
Corn is a companion to beans, beets, cucumber, dill, melons, parsley, peas, potato, squash and sunflower. It shouldn't be planted subsequent to celery or tomatoes. Amaranth can even be planted between corn rows to extend mulching (conserve soil moisture) and reduce weeds.
Cucumber loves to be planted subsequent to asparagus, beans, Brassicas, celery, corn, dill, kohlrabi, lettuce, onion, peas, and radishes. They shouldn’t be planted subsequent to potatoes or sage, however. Corn and sunflowers work like a trellis for cucumbers to connect on and develop upward. Dill will assist cucumbers by attracting predatory insects, and nasturtiums enhance the flavour and growth of cucumbers.
Dill improves the well being of cabbages and different Brassicas like cauliflower and kale. It is a nice companion for corn, cucumbers, lettuce and onions. Avoid planting subsequent to carrots and tomatoes! Dill attracts ladybugs, parasitoid wasps, hoverflies, bees, and backyard spiders (making it a really beneficial backyard herb).
Eggplant is a good companion for amaranth, beans, marigolds, peas, peppers, spinach and thyme. Do not plant subsequent to fennel!
Garlic is a nice companion plant for roses to assist repel aphids. It is excessive in sulfur, so it additionally helps get rid of pests like whiteflies, Japanese beetles, root maggots, carrot rust fly and different non-beneficial bugs. It is a nice companion for beets, Brassicas, celery, fruit trees (like apricots, apples and cherries), lettuce, potatoes, strawberries, and tomatoes. Do not plant subsequent to peas.
Lettuce like arugula, radicchio, inexperienced leaf lettuce, romaine, you name it, like to be planted subsequent to beets, Brassicas, carrots, celery, chervil, cucumbers, dill, garlic, onions, radish, spinach, squash and strawberries.
Marigolds produce chemicals that repel whiteflies, Mexican bean beetles, root knot nematodes, and root lesion nematodes. They are nice for planting round fruit trees, however shouldn't be planted round beans.
Marjoram grows well subsequent to all plants, and is believed to stimulate the expansion of plants round it. Marjoram particularly loves asparagus. It is very attractive to bees and different pollinators, so it's nice planted subsequent to plants that want pollinating like cucumbers and squash.
Mint helps attract earthworms, overflies, and predatory wasps. It additionally repels cabbage moths, aphids, and flea beetles. Mint is invasive, so it's best planted by itself in containers round a garden. Do not plant close to parsley.
Nasturtiums act as a nice trap crop for aphids, and they additionally assist get rid of whiteflies, cucumber beetles, squash beetles, Colorado potato beetles and Mexican bean beetles. It is a nice companion flower for Brassicas, cucumbers, melons, radishes and tomatoes. They present good cowl for floor beetles and spiders, and assist attract many different pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Onions love the herbs chamomile and summer savory to enhance their flavor. They additionally work nice alongside beets, Brassicas, carrots, dill, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, strawberries and tomatoes. Do not plant close to asparagus or peas. Onions assist repel the carrot rust fly, therefore why they want to be planted subsequent to carrots.
Parsley likes to be grown subsequent to asparagus, carrots, chives, corn, lettuce, onions and tomatoes. Allowing some parsley to go to bloom will assist attract hoverflies and predatory wasps.
Parsnips are nice when grown subsequent to inexperienced peas, bush beans, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, rosemary and sage. Some greens and herbs don't like parsnip, however, and that features carrots, celery, dill and fennel.
Peas are wonderful companions for beans, carrots, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, parsley, parsnip, peppers, potatoes, radish, spinach, strawberries and tulips. Avoid planting subsequent to onions.
Peppers make good companion plants for asparagus, basil, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, oregano, parsley, rosemary, squash, Swiss chard and tomatoes. Do not plant subsequent to beans, Brassicas or fennel.
Potatoes like to be planted subsequent to beets, bush beans, celery, corn, garlic, marigolds, onions, and peas. Avoid planting subsequent to asparagus, cucumber, Kohlrabi, melons, parsnips, rutabaga, squash, sunflower and turnips.
Radishes make good neighbors for beans, beets, carrots, celeriac, chervil, cucumber, lettuce, mint, parsnip, peas, spinach, squash, and tomatoes. Avoid planting proper subsequent to potatoes. Planting radishes round your squashes will allow them to develop higher and bloom, and additionally will prevent most pests of squash and cucumber.
Rosemary loves to be planted subsequent to beans, Brassicas, spinach and carrots. Rosemary helps repel cabbage moths, Mexican bean beetles, and carrot rust flies.
Sage repels cabbage moths and carrot rust flies, and additionally helps enhance the well being of parsnips. Do not plant subsequent to cucumbers, which dislike fragrant herbs.
Spinach is a nice companion for Brassicas, eggplants, leeks, lettuce, peas, radishes and particularly strawberries. Do not plant close to potatoes.
Squash doesn’t solely like to be planted subsequent to corn, however it additionally works nice subsequent to lettuce, melons, peas and radish. Avoid planting subsequent to Brassicas or potatoes. Borage is said to enhance the expansion and taste of squash. Marigolds and nasturtium assist repel many different squash pests.
Strawberries respond well when coupled with beans, borage, garlic, lettuce, onions, peas, spinach and thyme. Avoid planting subsequent to Brassicas, fennel and kohlrabi.
Sunflowers are said to extend corn yields when planted subsequent to corn rows. Use sunflowers as a means to draw pollinators to different crops, particularly squash and pumpkins, and any different crop that requires pollinating insects.
Tomatoes are delicate when it involves companion planting, however they mostly profit from asparagus, basil, beans, borage, carrots, celery, chives, collards, garlic, lettuce, marigold, mint, nasturtium, onion, parsley and peppers. Do not plant subsequent to dill, Brassicas, corn or kohlrabi. Potatoes may unfold blight to tomatoes, so don't plant nearby. Tomatoes aren’t the higher of friends with cucumbers either, as they're each require lots of resources within the soil. While some people have success planting them together, others do not. Try to keep away from planting them within the identical space.