Companion planting is a method of gardening that involves planting certain vegetables together to enhance growth, deter pests, and improve crop yield. This practice, rooted in centuries-old agricultural traditions, can make your garden more productive and healthier. Here’s a guide to some of the best vegetable combinations for your garden.

15 Best Vegetables to Grow Together

1. Tomatoes and Basil

Tomatoes and basil are a classic pair. They taste great together in the kitchen, and they grow well together in the garden. While tomatoes are a favorite in many gardens, they can attract pests like aphids and whiteflies. Planting basil nearby can help tomatoes in several ways:

1. It emits a strong scent that repels many pests that may attack tomatoes.
2. It improves the flavor of tomatoes.
3. It attracts bees, which help pollinate tomato flowers.

To plant these together, put basil plants around the base of your tomato plants. Make sure to leave enough space for both to grow.

2. Carrots and Onions

Carrots and onions make great companions because they help protect each other from pests. Carrots are often attacked by carrot flies, while onions are prone to onion flies and maggots. The strong smell of onions can mask the scent of carrots, confusing carrot flies and reducing the risk of infestation.

At the same time, carrots help break up the soil, making it easier for onions to grow. Here’s how to plant them:

1. Plant rows of carrots.
2. Plant rows of onions between the carrot rows.
3. Space the rows about 12 inches apart.

This setup allows both vegetables to thrive without competing for space or nutrients.

3. Corn, Beans, and Squash: The Three Sisters

Beans and corn work well together in a method known as the “Three Sisters,” which also includes squash. Beans can fix nitrogen in the soil, which corn needs to grow tall and strong. Corn provides a natural trellis for bean plants to climb. Adding squash can help with weed control, as its large leaves shade the ground.

4. Cucumbers and Radishes

Cucumbers are susceptible to cucumber beetles, which can cause significant damage. Planting radishes nearby can help deter these pests. Radishes mature quickly and can serve as a trap crop, luring beetles away from your cucumbers.

5. Lettuce and Radishes

Lettuce and radishes grow well together. Lettuce grows slowly and has shallow roots, while radishes grow quickly and have deeper roots. This means they don’t compete for space or nutrients. Radishes can also help to break up the soil, making it easier for lettuce roots to grow.

6. Spinach and Strawberries

Spinach and strawberries make a good pair because they occupy different layers in the garden. Strawberries have shallow roots and spread out on the ground, while spinach has deeper roots and grows more upright. Planting these together maximizes space and helps keep weeds down.

7. Peas and Carrots

Peas and carrots can be planted together for mutual benefit. Peas fix nitrogen in the soil, which carrots need. Carrots, with their long roots, help to aerate the soil, making it easier for pea roots to grow. This combination can lead to healthier plants and better yields.

8. Cabbage and Dill

Cabbage is prone to pests like cabbage worms and aphids. Dill attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps that prey on these pests. Dill can also improve the flavor of cabbage. Planting dill around your cabbage can help keep it healthy and pest-free.

9. Zucchini and Nasturtiums

Zucchini is a prolific grower but can be vulnerable to pests like aphids and squash bugs. Nasturtiums are a great companion for zucchini because they repel aphids and attract beneficial insects that prey on squash bugs. Nasturtiums can also help improve the flavor of zucchini.

10. Beets and Garlic

Beets and garlic are excellent companions. Garlic repels many common pests that affect beets, such as aphids, flea beetles, and leaf miners. Additionally, garlic has a shallow root system, while beets have deeper roots, so they don’t compete for nutrients or space.

11. Marigolds and Almost Anything

Marigolds are a popular companion plant because they repel a wide variety of pests, including nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies. Planting marigolds around the perimeter of your garden or interspersed with other vegetables can provide a protective barrier against pests. They also add a splash of color to your garden.

12. Potatoes and Horseradish

Potatoes benefit from being planted with horseradish. Horseradish has strong-smelling roots that deter pests like the Colorado potato beetle. It also helps to improve the overall health and flavor of potatoes.

Plant horseradish around the edges of your potato patch for best results. Be careful, though. Horseradish can spread quickly, so keep it contained.

13. Broccoli and Celery

Broccoli and celery grow well together because they have complementary needs. Broccoli benefits from the nitrogen fixed in the soil by celery. Celery’s strong scent can also help repel pests that are attracted to broccoli. This combination can lead to healthier plants and better yields.

14. Squash and Borage

Squash can be protected by planting borage nearby. Borage attracts beneficial insects such as bees and wasps that help pollinate squash flowers. Borage also repels pests like tomato hornworms and cabbage worms. This combination can help increase squash yields and reduce pest damage.

15. Peppers and Carrots

Peppers and carrots grow well together because they have different nutrient needs and root structures. Peppers need a lot of nitrogen, while carrots prefer a more balanced nutrient mix. Peppers have shallow roots, while carrots have deep roots, so they don’t compete for space. This combination can lead to healthier plants and better yields.

Tips for Successful Companion Planting

1. Plan your garden layout before planting. Think about which plants will go where.
2. Consider the size of mature plants. Make sure tall plants won’t shade shorter ones that need sun.
3. Make sure all plants in a group have similar sun and water needs.
4. Rotate your crops each year. This helps prevent soil depletion and disease buildup.
5. Pay attention to plant spacing. Even companion plants need room to grow.
6. Observe your garden. See which combinations work best in your specific conditions.
7. Keep a garden journal. Write down what works and what doesn’t for future reference.
8. Be patient. It may take a season or two to see the full benefits of companion planting.

Reap The Benefits of Companion Planting

Companion planting is more than just putting plants next to each other. It’s about creating a balanced ecosystem in your garden. When done right, it can lead to better harvests, fewer pest problems, and a more enjoyable gardening experience.

So next time you plan your vegetable garden, think about which plants might be good neighbors. By pairing the right vegetables, you can create a healthier, more productive garden.