Companion Planting: How to Neighbor Plants
If you’re new to companion planting, you may be wondering why it is important to plant the right plant or vegetable next to each other. After all, what’s the big deal?
Well, planting the wrong neighboring plant can cause disease or attract unwanted pests to your garden. By pairing plants together that have complementary properties, you can actually improve the health and productivity of both plants! In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of companion planting and how to neighbor plants the right way.
The Benefits of Companion Planting
The term “companion planting” might make you think of two old friends chatting over a cup of tea. But in gardening, companion planting refers to the practice of growing different types of plants together. And while it might not sound like the most exciting topic, companion planting can actually have some pretty big benefits.
For one thing, companion planting can help to deter pests. Certain plants release chemicals that are toxic to pests, making them less likely to damage other plants in the area. Companion planting can also help to improve soil quality. By growing different types of plants together, you can add more nutrients to the soil, making it more fertile and productive.
And last but not least, companion planting can simply make your garden more beautiful. By carefully choosing which plants to grow together, you can create a vibrant and colorful display that will be sure to impress your neighbors. So next time you’re planning your garden, don’t forget the power of companionship
Mistakes to avoid when Companion Planting
When it comes to companion planting, there are a few things you should avoid if you want your garden to thrive. First of all, don’t plant incompatible species together. This may seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many people try to force plants that simply don’t get along.
Secondly, be careful not to overcrowd your garden. Each plant needs a certain amount of space to grow and thrive, so planting them too close together will only lead to competition for resources. Finally, make sure you rotate your crops on a regular basis. This will help to prevent the build-up of pests and diseases in the soil, and it will also ensure that each plant gets the nutrients it needs. So, if you’re looking to create a thriving garden, make sure you avoid these common mistakes.
Plant Herbs as Companion Plants
As any gardener knows, not all plants get along. In fact, some plants can have a negative impact on the health of their neighbors. However, there are also plants that make good companions, providing benefits that can improve the growth and yield of other plants. Herbs are a perfect example of beneficial companion plants. Many herbs help to repel pests, making them ideal companions for more delicate plants. Others, such as basil and oregano, release compounds that can promote the growth of other plants. As a result, planting herbs alongside other plants can provide a number of benefits that can improve the overall health of your garden.
Plant Flowers as Companion Plants
While most people think of flowers as decorative additions to their gardens, many don’t realize that they can also be beneficial companions to vegetables. Flowers can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which is essential for fruiting vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. They can also help to repel pests, companion planting marigolds with tomatoes, for example, has been shown to deter nematodes. In addition, flowers can provide shade and shelter for delicate vegetables, protecting them from harsh sunlight or unexpected storms. So if you want to get the most out of your garden, consider adding a few brightly-colored flowers to your vegetable beds. Your plants will thank you for it.
Standard Benefits of companion planting:
Firstly, companion planting is a great way to manage all of these factors. By planting different types of plants next to each other, you can create a more balanced ecosystem that is better able to resist disease and pests. For example, tomatoes and basil make great companion plants. The basil helps to repel insects that might otherwise damage the tomatoes, while the tomatoes provide shade and support for the basil.
Secondly, companion planting is just one tool that you can use to create a more successful garden, and lastly, it is a great way to make use of space in your garden.
With a little planning, you can create a veritable oasis of fresh produce.
See the list below for some vegetables and their companion plants:
Companion planting for Tomatoes
If you’re like most people, your herb garden is probably a haphazard mix of plants that you’ve thrown in together without much thought. But did you know that there’s an art to planting herbs? That’s right – just like everything else in life, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it. One of the best ways to ensure a bountiful harvest of flavorful herbs is to plant them next to tomatoes. Tomatoes and basil are a classic combination, but tomatoes also go well with borage, calendula, dill, garlic, nasturtium, onions, parsley, and thyme.
Basil
Did you know that planting Basil next to peppers, Purslane, and tomatoes can actually benefit your plants? That’s right – these three plants make great companions, and they can help each other to thrive. For example, Basil release substances that help to repel pests like aphids, while Purslane can help to improve the drainage around pepper plants. Tomatoes, meanwhile, produce a natural fungicide that can protect both peppers and Basil from disease. So if you’re looking for a little extra protection for your plants, consider adding these three companions to your garden. You just might be surprised at the results.
Onions
Though onions may make you cry, they are actually quite friendly plants- especially when it comes to their neighbors. They get along well with beets, cabbage, carrots, chard, lettuce, strawberry, and tomatoes. This is likely because onions share many common needs with these plants. They all need roughly the same amount of water and sunlight, and they all prefer cooler weather. Additionally, onions can help to deter many common pests that attack these other plants. As a result, planting onions next to other vegetables can actually be beneficial for both the onion and its neighbors. So next time you’re in the garden, don’t be afraid to let your onions socialize.
Carrots
Carrots and chives are two vegetables that are often found in the same garden. But did you know that they can also be beneficial to each other? Chives release a compound called allicin, which has been shown to improve the flavor of carrots. In addition, allicin can also help to deter pests, such as aphids, from attacking carrot plants. Onions release a compound called pyrethrin, which is a natural insecticide. This can help to protect both carrot and chive plants from harmful insects.
Peas produce nitrogen, which is an essential nutrient for healthy plant growth. This means that planting peas next to carrots can help to improve the overall health of the carrot plant. Finally, radishes produce a compound called glucosinolates, which can help to enhance the flavor of carrots. So if you’re looking to add a little flavor to your carrots, consider planting them next to some chives, onions, peas, or radishes.
Radishes
Planting radishes next to chives, chervil, lettuce, and nasturtium will benefit the growth of the radishes. The chives will help to keep away aphids and other pests, while the chervil will add nutrients to the soil. The lettuce will shade the radishes and prevent them from getting too much sun, and the nasturtium will help to attract pollinating insects. Together, these plants will create a microclimate that is ideal for radish growth. So if you’re looking to get the most out of your radish crop, be sure to plant them next to these other helpful plants.
Peppers
If you’re looking for a fast, easy way to benefit your peppers, plant them next to basil, marjoram, onions, or oregano. These herbs can help improve the flavor of your peppers while also providing some health benefits. Basil, for example, is known to contain antioxidants that can help protect against cell damage. Marjoram can help to improve digestion and Oregano is a natural antifungal. So not only will your peppers taste better when planted next to these herbs, but they’ll also be better for you!
Cucumbers
Planting cucumbers next to beans is often recommended as a way to improve yield and quality. But what many gardeners don’t realize is that this simple act can also have a number of other benefits. For example, planting borage next to cucumbers will help to attract bees, which are essential for pollination. Dill can also be helpful, as it deters pests like aphids and cucumber beetles. Lettuce is another good companion plant, as it provides shade and helps to keep the soil moist. Nasturtiums are another good option, as they discourage pests and can be used as a natural insecticide. Oregano, radish, sunflowers, and tansy are also known to be helpful in the fight against pests. So if you’re looking for a way to boost your cucumber crop, consider planting some of these helpful companions along with your cucumbers.
Beans
did you know that beans and beets benefit from being planted next to each other? The beans will climb the beets, providing them with support, and in return the beets will help to deter pests from attacking the beans. Similarly, corn and squash make excellent neighbors. The tall corn stalks provide shade for the squash plants, helping to keep them cool during hot summer days. And last but not least, nasturtiums and strawberries make a perfect pair. The nasturtiums will help to repel pests from the strawberries, while the strawberries will provide a living mulch for the nasturtiums. So next time you’re planning your garden, think about which plants could benefit from being placed next to each other- you might be surprised at the results!
Lettuce
Perhaps you’re thinking of planting a salad garden, and are wondering which herbs and vegetables will benefit from being next to each other. Or maybe you’re just looking for an excuse to buy more plants. Either way, we’ve got the scoop on which plants do best when planted next to each other. Lettuce benefits from being next to chives, onions, oregano, peas, poached eggplants, radishes, scallions, and zinnia. So go ahead and add some variety to your garden- your taste buds will thank you!
Conclusion
Companion planting is a great way to improve the yield and quality of your garden produce. By planting neighboring plants together, you can create a microclimate that is ideal for each plant’s growth. Not only will this help your plants to thrive, but it will also make your garden more biodiverse and attractive. So next time you’re planning your garden, be sure to think about which plants would make good companions.
One final benefit of companion planting is that it can help to deter pests. By planting certain plants next to each other, you can create a natural barrier that pests will not want to cross. So if you’re looking for a way to keep your garden free of pests, companion planting is definitely worth considering.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to companion planting, so do some research and find out which plants would make good companions for the ones you have in mind. You might be surprised by the results! And who knows, you might even end up with a more bountiful harvest than you ever thought possible. So go ahead and give it a try- your garden will thank you for it!
Happy planting!
-Lana 🙂