The 7 Best Companion Plants You’re Not Growing (But Should Be)!

Gardeners often deal with pesky bugs and bad soil, but guess what? Marigolds come to the rescue. They’re like little warriors in organic gardening, keeping underground pests at bay and inviting friendly bugs to party. Imagine discovering seven more plants that boost your garden’s health and make it thrive just like marigolds. Curious to see how these plants could level up your garden?

Get ready to plant!

Key Takeaways

• Companion plants like nasturtiums and borage repel pests, keeping your garden healthy without chemicals.
• Marigolds protect root vegetables and tomatoes by fighting off harmful nematodes in the soil.
• Caraway improves soil health near peas and beans, attracting good bugs that help plants grow better.
• Dill attracts butterflies which help with pollination but should not be planted near coriander because they don’t get along.
• Planting chamomile boosts the growth and flavor of onions and brassicas, making them healthier.

Benefits of Companion Planting

Companion planting has numerous benefits. It helps improve soil health, enhances pest control, and increases crop productivity.

Improves soil health

Plants like alfalfa and beans are great for the soil. Alfalfa gathers iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium. It also fixes nitrogen. Beans do this too but should grow where legumes have not been before to avoid problems.

This makes the ground better for growing crops next time.

Caraway is another plant that helps a lot with making the soil better. It changes how the ground is put together which is good for plants around it.

Healthy soil leads to healthy plants.

Enhances pest control

Companion planting helps your garden fight off pests without chemicals. Marigolds, for example, keep harmful fungi away from tomatoes and other veggies. They act as trap crops, distracting pests like whiteflies so they don’t attack the main plants.

This natural defense saves your garden from damage.

Chives stop apple scab in its tracks. By planting them near your fruit trees, you reduce the risk of this common disease. Companion plants make great teams with vegetables and fruits to keep bugs and diseases at bay.

Now let’s move on to how these plants can increase crop productivity.

Increases crop productivity

Keeping pests under control naturally leads to healthier plants. This means your garden can produce more fruits and vegetables. Companion planting helps with this by putting the right plants together.

For example, tall crops like corn offer shade for shorter plants such as lettuce. This keeps the soil moist and cool, helping lettuce grow better.

Each year, rotating where you plant things also stops diseases from taking hold. Clubroot affects cabbages, but moving them each growing season reduces the risk. Following these steps makes sure your garden has high yields of tomatoes, squash, beans, and more every year without using chemicals or artificial helpers.

Nasturtiums: The Pest Repellant

Nasturtiums are great for repelling pests like aphids and beetles. They work well with squash and cucumbers while offering natural pest deterrent properties.

Benefits with squash and cucumbers

Squash and cucumbers grow better with friends like marigolds, beans, and radishes. These companions help each other in many ways. For example, nasturtiums keep away bad bugs that want to eat the squash and cucumbers.

They act as a shield against pests like aphids and beetles. This means fewer insects damaging the plants.

Plants like dill attract helpful insects to the garden. These good bugs eat the ones that harm squash and cucumbers. Growing these plants together also saves space in the garden. You get more veggies from the same spot.

A healthy garden is a community of plants working together.

Natural deterrent for aphids and beetles

Nasturtiums work well to keep aphids and beetles away from crops. These pests don’t like the smell of nasturtiums. So, they stay away from plants nearby. This helps protect squash, cucumbers, and other veggies without chemicals.

Gardeners find that mixing flowers like nasturtiums with their veggies confuses pests. The garden’s many smells and colors make it hard for aphids and beetles to find their favorite plants.

This natural trick improves the health of the garden.

Borage: The Plant Protector

Borage safeguards tomatoes and strawberries. It attracts helpful insects and enriches the soil.

Companion for tomatoes and strawberries

Tomatoes love friends like basil and marigolds. These pals help fight off pests. They also make tomatoes grow better. Tomatoes should not hang out with Brussels sprouts or cauliflower though.

Those are not good matches.

Strawberries also have friends and foes in the garden. Keep them away from Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, just like tomatoes. Instead, let strawberries buddy up with borage. Borage attracts helpful insects that keep pests away from strawberries.

Basil and marigolds: The best pals for your tomato plants.

Attracts beneficial insects and improves soil

Borage does more than just keep tomatoes and strawberries safe. It invites good bugs to the garden. These friends, like bees and ladybugs, help plants by eating pests and pollinating flowers.

Borage also drops leaves that enrich the soil, making it better for growing.

This plant has another trick. Its roots go deep and loosen the earth. This helps air and water move through the ground better, which is great for nearby plants’ roots. Caraway acts similarly by drawing in helpful insects and making the earth healthier for peas and beans to thrive in.

Marigolds: The Root Guardians

Marigolds make great companions for root vegetables and tomatoes. They help suppress nematodes and pests, giving a protective shield to the roots of neighboring plants.

Ideal for root vegetables and tomatoes

Marigolds are great friends to root vegetables like beets and carrots, as well as tomatoes. They keep away nematodes that harm roots. Planting marigolds close helps protect these crops without needing chemicals.

Rotate planting yearly to prevent clubroot. This tip is also key for tomatoes and their root vegetable buddies. It keeps the soil healthy and plants happy.

Suppresses nematodes and pests

Marigolds are true heroes in the garden. They keep away root-eating nematodes. These small worms can hurt plants like tomatoes and root vegetables. Marigolds have special chemicals in their roots that nematodes do not like.

Planting marigolds helps protect your veggies without using harsh chemicals.

These flowers also fight plant-pathogenic fungi. This means they stop diseases that could kill crops. Plus, marigolds act as trap crops for pests, drawing them away from important plants.

With marigolds around, your garden has a strong guard against many threats.

Caraway: The Soil Enricher

Caraway enriches the soil when planted near peas and beans. It also attracts beneficial insects and improves soil structure.

Benefits when planted near peas and beans

Planting caraway near peas and beans can benefit your garden in multiple ways. Caraway acts as a soil enricher, enhancing the growth of neighboring pea and bean plants. It attracts beneficial insects, such as hoverflies, which help with pollination and pest control.

Also, the presence of caraway improves soil structure, making it more conducive to the growth of peas and beans.

Adding dill to your garden near peas also has benefits. The fragrance of dill attracts butterflies that act as pollinators for pea plants. Besides, dill helps repel pests like cabbage moths from both peas and beans when planted nearby.

When planting marigolds near these crops, they act as root guardians by suppressing nematodes and other harmful pests that may affect peas or beans.

Attracts beneficial insects, improves soil structure

Companion planting caraway near peas and beans not only attracts beneficial insects but also improves the structure of the soil. This is especially useful in promoting healthy growth for your crops, as it encourages the presence of pollinators like syrphid flies and lady beetles, which aid in natural pest control.

By enriching the soil, caraway contributes to a thriving ecosystem that supports the overall health and productivity of your garden.

Dill: The Butterfly Attractant

Dill is a butterfly magnet! It supports cabbage, onions, and lettuce by attracting pollinators while also repelling pests.

Supports cabbage, onions, and lettuce

Dill is a great companion for cabbage, onions, and lettuce. It keeps away the cabbage white butterflies that can harm your other plants. This makes it an ideal plant to have in your garden if you’re growing these vegetables.

Plus, dill attracts beneficial insects like pollinators and predatory insects, which helps your garden thrive naturally.

It’s essential to note that dill should not be planted near coriander as they are not compatible companion plants. When deciding where to plant dill in your garden, keep this in mind for the best results with your crops of cabbage, onions, and lettuce.

Attracts pollinators while repelling pests

Dill does more than simply add flavor to your dishes; it contributes to enhancing your garden. By attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees, dill ensures that nearby plants receive the necessary cross-pollination for robust growth.

Moreover, dill actively repels cabbage white butterflies, making it an excellent companion plant for cabbage, onions, and lettuce. This multifunctional herb creates a dynamic environment in your garden that not only supports plant health but also adds beauty with its delicate flowers.

Marigolds surpass their vibrant blooms; they attract beneficial insects while deterring pests. These colorful flowers invite pollinators such as bees and hover flies into your garden while keeping nematodes and other harmful pests at bay.

The presence of marigolds among root vegetables and tomatoes suppresses nematodes’ activity, contributing to healthier soil and stronger crop yields over time.

Chamomile: The Growth Booster

Chamomile enhances the growth of onions and brassicas, boosting their flavor and health. It complements neighboring plants like broccoli and squash, adding an aromatic touch to the garden.

Enhances the growth of onions and brassicas

Chamomile boosts the growth of onions and brassicas. It also enhances their flavor and health when grown nearby. This aromatic herb has earned the nickname “plant doctor” due to its positive impact on neighboring plants.

Its ability to attract beneficial insects like pollinators and predatory insects further contributes to the overall health and vitality of the garden.

Improves flavor and health of neighboring plants

After enhancing the growth of onions and brassicas, let’s shift our attention to how certain companion plants can enhance the flavor and health of neighboring plants. This happens through various mechanisms such as attracting beneficial insects like pollinators and predatory insects, which contribute to overall plant vitality.

Scientific evidence supports these advantages; for instance, companion planting has been demonstrated to reduce insect predation significantly. By strategically planting specific companions like dill, chamomile, and lemon balm within your garden or crop space, you can establish an environment that not just enhances the taste but also enhances the overall health of nearby plants.

Lemon Balm: The Fragrance Shield

Lemon Balm, also known as the Fragrance Shield, pairs well with broccoli and squash. It repels mosquitoes and attracts pollinators to your garden.

Complements broccoli and squash

Lemon balm is a good companion plant for broccoli and squash. By planting lemon balm near these veggies, you can repel mosquitoes and attract pollinators, which helps in the growth of your broccoli and squash.

When lemon balm grows alongside these crops, it also confuses pests with its fragrance. This makes it easier to guard your broccoli and squash from harmful insects without using chemical products.

Repels mosquitos and attracts pollinators

Lemon balm is a fragrant herb that effectively repels mosquitos from your garden. Its potent scent naturally deters these bothersome insects, ensuring they steer clear of your plants.

This serves a dual purpose: protecting you from itchy bites and safeguarding your other crops by warding off mosquitos. Therefore, lemon balm is a practical and versatile addition to any garden.

In addition, lemon balm also allures pollinators such as bees and butterflies. These creatures play a crucial role in plant health by facilitating cross-pollination and ensuring successful reproduction.

By cultivating lemon balm, you not only enhance your environment but also bolster the thriving ecosystem within your garden by attracting these beneficial pollinators in substantial numbers.

How to Implement Companion Planting

When planning your garden layout for companion planting, consider the growing seasons and the specific needs of each plant. Pay attention to timing and spacing for planting to ensure a successful combination of companion plants.

Planning your garden layout

When planning your garden layout, consider using a companion planting matrix to streamline the process. It’s worth mentioning that planning strategies can vary based on local climate, soil type, sunlight, and available garden space.

Moreover, the orientation of plants can impact growth; north-south rows tend to receive better sunlight. To help with this, there are companion planting charts available for 17 popular vegetables and their companions that you can refer to when creating your garden plan.

Timing and spacing for planting

When planning your garden layout, it’s crucial to consider the timing and spacing for planting. The approaches for this can vary based on local climate, soil type, sunlight, and garden space.

For example, in Ohio, broccoli is planted in March while tomatoes are transplanted later on. In contrast, Texas experiences two growing seasons with tomatoes being planted late December or early January as well as in August.

Moreover, plant orientation impacts growth; north-south rows receive better sunlight.

Conclusion

In conclusion, companion planting offers various benefits for your garden. It improves soil health, enhances pest control, and increases crop productivity. Adding plants like nasturtiums, borage, marigolds, caraway, dill, chamomile and lemon balm as companions to your vegetable garden can lead to healthier and more productive crops.

By implementing these companions strategically in your garden layout and understanding their cross-pollination benefits or soil-enriching properties, you can create a thriving ecosystem that supports the growth of all your plants.

FAQs

1. What are some best companion plants I should consider growing?

You should consider growing celery, squash or gourd, beta vulgaris (chard), fennel, lettuces and carrot plants for their benefits to other crops.

2. How do these companion plants benefit my garden?

These plants offer several advantages like nitrogen fixation from root exudates, acting as pest repellent plants and assisting in cross pollination with the help of pollinating insects.

3. Can you explain how crop rotation works with these companion plants?

Crop rotation involves planting different types of crops in the same area over different seasons. This can prevent pests and diseases that target specific plant types, improve soil health through varied root exudates and allow for natural nitrogen fixation.

4. Are there any particular combinations of these companion plants that work well together?

Yes, one popular combination is “The Three Sisters” – cornstalks, squash or gourds and beans which support each other’s growth when planted together.

5. Is it possible to cross-pollinate between these companion plants?

Certain flowers may cross-pollinate if they’re closely related species but most vegetables like zucchini or potatoes will not be affected by cross-pollination from unrelated varieties.

6. Can I grow aromatic herbs alongside my vegetables?

Absolutely! Aromatic herbs such as catnip act as a great pest repellent while attracting beneficial nectar loving insects for improved pollination.