Growing a garden is a wonderful past time and can also be how you feed your family. You can grow a garden out in the country and even in the middle of the city. To get the most out of your garden, it is helpful to know what grows well together. Companion planting is when you grow certain plants next to each other so that they benefit one another. Grow these plants together for a healthier garden.
When I had my BIG BIG garden when we lived in Virginia, I used the companion planting method to plan every spring planted in my garden. While my desert herb and vegetable garden is smaller, I do place my plants together based on the companion planing method.
What is the companion planting method? Keep reading!
Companion Planting
THE BEAN FAMILY
The bean family includes green beans, pole beans, and bush beans like black, pinto, navy, and kidney beans. Their companion plants are: Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Corn, Cucumber, Peas, Rosemary, Strawberry, Swiss Chard, and Tomatoes.
COOL SEASON VEGETABLES
Cool season vegetables tend to have issues with bugs loving to eat their leaves and vegetables. Many of the plants they like to be next to in the garden are natural pest deterrents like dill, garlic, onions, rosemary, and sage.
- Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower: Beans, Carrots, Chives, Cucumber, Dill, Garlic, Lettuce, Onions, Rosemary, Sage, Spinach, and Swiss Chard
- Lettuce (head and looseleaf), Kale, Spinach: Cauliflower, Carrots, Chives, Cucumber, Dill, Garlic, Onion, Squash, Strawberry, and Tomatoes
WARM SEASON VEGETABLES
Warm season veggies also like to be surrounded by plants that have a symbiotic relationship. This can either be to help shade them or for pest protection.
- Cucumber: Beans, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Corn, Dill, Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Peppers, and Tomatoes
- Tomatoes: Basil, Beans, Carrots, Chives, Corn, Dill, Leeks, Lettuce, Onion, Parsley, and Peppers
- Peppers: Basil, Carrots, Cucumber, Oregano, Parsley, Peas, Rosemary, Squash, Swiss Chard, and Tomatoes
- Squash: Corn, Lettuce, Melons, Peas, and Peppers
HERBS
Herbs have edible leaves or flowers and most have other plants that they love to be next to in the garden. They either attract the bees and butterflies or get rid of animals and insects.
- Basil: Oregano, Peppers, and Tomatoes
- Chives: Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Parsley, and Tomatoes
- Dill: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Corn, Cucumber, Lettuce, and Onion
- Garlic: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Strawberry, and Tomatoes
- Parsley: Carrots, Chives, Corn, Onion, Peas, Peppers, and Tomatoes