Companion Planting Guide for Vegetable Gardens - Plant Care Guide

Companion planting is an age-old gardening practice that involves growing different plants together to enhance growth, improve yields, deter pests, and promote a healthier garden. By carefully choosing plants that benefit each other, you can create a thriving vegetable garden that requires fewer pesticides, fertilizers, and other interventions. If you're new to gardening, or even if you're experienced, understanding the basics of companion planting can help you maximize the success of your garden.

Let’s explore how companion planting works and which vegetables grow best together to create a more productive and resilient garden.

What is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is the practice of growing certain plants near each other to create beneficial relationships. Some plants release natural chemicals or fragrances that repel pests, while others improve the soil by fixing nitrogen or providing shade. By pairing plants with complementary characteristics, you can enhance your garden’s overall health.

For example, planting basil next to tomatoes not only improves the flavor of the tomatoes but also helps repel insects like aphids and mosquitoes. This is just one of many beneficial pairings that can be achieved through companion planting.

Get started with your own companion planting guide (available for $10–$25) to learn more about plant combinations.

Benefits of Companion Planting

There are many reasons why companion planting is a great addition to any garden. Here are some key benefits:

• Pest control: Certain plants act as natural repellents for pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
• Soil health: Some plants, like legumes, fix nitrogen into the soil, enriching it for other crops.
• Increased yields: Pairing plants that grow well together can lead to higher crop productivity.
• Pollinator attraction: Certain companion plants attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which help with pollination.

With these benefits in mind, let’s look at specific vegetable pairings that work well in companion planting.

Companion Planting Combinations for Popular Vegetables

1. Tomatoes and Basil

One of the most well-known and effective companion planting combinations is tomatoes and basil. Not only does basil enhance the flavor of tomatoes, but it also repels pests like aphids, whiteflies, and mosquitoes. Additionally, basil’s aromatic oils help deter pests that commonly attack tomato plants.

Tomatoes also benefit from being planted with marigolds, as they deter nematodes—microscopic worms that can damage tomato roots.

Order basil seeds (available for $5–$15) to plant next to your tomatoes for a natural pest deterrent.

2. Carrots and Onions

Carrots and onions make a perfect pair in the garden. Onions have a strong scent that repels pests like carrot flies, which can damage carrot roots. In return, carrots help break up the soil, making it easier for onion roots to grow. This pairing not only helps protect both plants but also improves soil health.

You can also plant leeks and garlic alongside carrots, as they provide similar pest-deterring benefits.

Find onion seeds (available for $6–$18) to protect your carrots from pests.

3. Corn, Beans, and Squash (The Three Sisters)

The "Three Sisters" is an ancient Native American companion planting technique that involves growing corn, beans, and squash together. Each plant serves a unique purpose in this trio:

• Corn provides a tall structure for beans to climb.
• Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits both corn and squash.
• Squash has large leaves that shade the soil, reducing weed growth and keeping the soil moist.

This method is particularly effective because each plant supports the others, creating a self-sustaining garden system.

Get a Three Sisters seed kit (available for $15–$35) to try this traditional planting method in your garden.

4. Cucumbers and Nasturtiums

Cucumbers benefit from being planted alongside nasturtiums, which are flowers that act as a trap crop. Nasturtiums attract aphids and other pests away from cucumbers, protecting the vegetable from infestations. Additionally, nasturtiums are edible and can add a peppery flavor to salads, making them a dual-purpose plant in the garden.

Nasturtiums also improve pollination by attracting beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which can help boost your cucumber yield.

Order nasturtium seeds (available for $7–$20) to help protect your cucumbers and attract pollinators.

5. Peppers and Marigolds

Planting peppers with marigolds is another excellent example of companion planting for pest control. Marigolds help deter nematodes and other harmful pests that could damage pepper plants. Their bright flowers also attract beneficial insects that help with pollination, ensuring a healthy pepper crop.

Peppers also grow well with basil, which repels aphids and spider mites, common pepper pests.

Choose marigold seeds (available for $5–$12) to plant alongside your peppers for pest control.

6. Lettuce and Radishes

Lettuce and radishes grow well together because they have different growing habits that don’t compete with each other. Radishes mature quickly and can be harvested early, while lettuce grows more slowly. This means you can plant them in the same space without them interfering with each other’s growth.

Radishes also help deter pests like aphids and beetles that might otherwise attack lettuce, making this combination both space-efficient and protective.

Find radish seeds (available for $4–$10) to plant next to your lettuce for space-saving benefits.

7. Spinach and Strawberries

Growing spinach and strawberries together is an example of companion planting that maximizes space while benefiting both plants. Spinach grows well in the shade of strawberries, while strawberries benefit from spinach’s ability to retain moisture in the soil. This combination helps reduce weed growth and promotes healthy fruit production.

Plant these two crops together for a productive, space-efficient garden that delivers both greens and sweet fruits.

Order strawberry plants (available for $10–$25) to pair with spinach in your vegetable garden.

8. Cabbage and Dill

Cabbage plants are often targeted by pests like cabbage worms and aphids. By planting dill nearby, you can deter these pests, as dill attracts beneficial insects like wasps and ladybugs, which prey on cabbage pests. Dill also helps improve cabbage’s flavor and overall health.

In return, cabbage provides a bit of shade for dill, making this pairing ideal for cooler garden areas.

Find dill seeds (available for $5–$15) to plant with your cabbage for pest protection.

9. Garlic and Roses

Although garlic is typically considered a kitchen staple, it also makes an excellent companion plant in the vegetable garden and even with roses. Garlic is known for its ability to repel aphids, which are a common pest for roses. Planting garlic near your roses can help keep aphid populations under control while also giving you a steady supply of garlic for the kitchen.

Garlic’s strong smell can also deter other pests, making it a great addition to various parts of the garden.

Get garlic bulbs (available for $10–$30) to plant near roses and other vegetables for natural pest control.

10. Zucchini and Beans

Pairing zucchini with beans is a classic example of companion planting that benefits both crops. Beans help fix nitrogen in the soil, which improves the nutrient availability for heavy-feeding plants like zucchini. In return, zucchini’s large leaves help shade the soil, reducing evaporation and keeping the soil moist for the beans.

This partnership results in a balanced, nutrient-rich growing environment for both crops.

Choose bean seeds (available for $6–$20) to grow alongside your zucchini for healthier plants.

Plants to Avoid Pairing Together

Not all plants make good companions. Some plants can stunt the growth of others, attract pests, or compete for nutrients. Here are a few common examples of plants you should avoid planting together:

• Tomatoes and Corn: Both are heavy feeders and can compete for nutrients in the soil. Corn also attracts pests like the corn earworm, which can target tomatoes.
• Beans and Onions: Onions release chemicals that can inhibit the growth of beans.
• Carrots and Dill: Dill can stunt the growth of carrots if planted too closely.
• Cucumbers and Potatoes: Both plants are prone to similar diseases, making them poor companions.

Find a companion planting chart (available for $10–$25) to easily plan which vegetables work best together.

Tips for Successful Companion Planting

To get the most out of companion planting, here are some simple tips to keep in mind:

• Diversity is key: Plant a wide variety of vegetables and herbs to create a balanced ecosystem in your garden. A diverse garden is less likely to be overtaken by pests and diseases.
• Rotate crops: Practice crop rotation to prevent nutrient depletion in the soil and reduce the buildup of pests and diseases that target specific plants.
• Use flowers: Flowers like marigolds, calendula, and nasturtiums not only add beauty to your garden but also attract beneficial insects and repel pests.
• Experiment and observe: Every garden is unique, so try different companion planting combinations and observe how your plants perform. Over time, you’ll find the best pairings for your specific garden conditions.

Shop for companion planting kits (available for $20–$50) to experiment with new plant combinations.

Natural Pest Control Through Companion Planting

One of the greatest advantages of companion planting is its ability to naturally control pests without the need for chemical pesticides. Here’s how it works:

• Trap crops: Some plants, like nasturtiums, attract pests away from more vulnerable crops.
• Repellent plants: Plants like garlic, basil, and marigolds emit strong scents that deter common pests.
• Beneficial insects: By planting flowers like dill and fennel, you can attract insects such as ladybugs and hoverflies that feed on pests like aphids.

Find pest-repelling plants (available for $10–$30) to naturally protect your vegetable garden.

With the right companion planting techniques, you can create a thriving vegetable garden that’s healthy, productive, and eco-friendly!