In The Garden: What Is Companion Planting?

What is companion planting?

Companion planting is the act of planting beneficial herbs, vegetables, and/or flowers near each other that will enhance either growth, soil health, or will act as a trap crop.

This seems more confusing than it is. When planting your garden, your goal is to make it the most productive it can be within your own various constricts. For example, since we practice organic gardening, we do not use chemicals to kill pests and instead rely on companion planting to create an ideal ecosystem.

Below are some of the more common vegetables and what companion plants work best when planted nearby.

Cucumbers

Cucumber plants grow best if trellised off the ground to increase air flow. Companion plants include radishes, beans, lettuce, and dill. Keep away from sage as it will stunt the cucumbers growth.

Radishes will help repel cucumber beetles while dill will attract beneficial insects. Growing beans nearby will help replace nitrogen in the soil that gradually depletes over the growing season.

Beans

Beans grow well with most plants as they place nitrogen back into the soil. They do well when placed near peppers, corn, tomatoes, squash, and carrots. Keep away from onions, garlic, and chives which has the potential to slow growth.

Corn

Corn grows best when planted in blocks and is commonly used in the three sister’s method. It thrives when placed near beans, squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, and peas. Keep away from tomatoes.

Beans will help increase the corn’s yield and, if using the three sister’s method, the cornstalks can be used as a trellis for squash, peas, or cucumbers.

Onions

Onions do best with other cool weather crops such as carrots, beets, kale, and lettuce. Keep away from beans and peas.

Onions are a common deterrent to pests such as rust flies. Planting in a raised bed or around the border of your garden will help deter hazardous insects.

Peppers

Peppers are another plant that goes well with most other garden vegetables. You can plant with tomatoes, basil, carrots, and onions. Keep away from beans.

Hot peppers can be used as a deterrent, but also take up a small amount of space (you may have heard that peppers like to “hold hands”) when compared with companions such as tomatoes.

Squash

Squash is known for being a heavy feeder, attracting pests, and taking up a lot of space. Plant near marigolds, dill, radish, or nasturtiums to help repel detrimental insects. Keep away from potatoes.

Squash bugs and vine borers often kill squash plants before they can produce a harvest. Herbs such as dill will help deter pests.