Companion Planting Archives (2024)

FAQs

What should you not plant next to tomatoes? ›

Bee Balm is more likely to attract mildew when it is grown in a shadier location than it prefers, so avoid planting it with shade lovers like Hostas and ferns.

Brassicas: Almanacs and home gardeners recommend avoiding planting brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale, collards, cauliflower) near peppers because they require different soil acidity levels and can deter pepper plant growth.

The reality is that because the two have similar growth requirements, they can in fact be grown quite successfully together. Diseases common to both tomato and pepper include Verticillium wilt and bacterial spot.

In a raised bed, various herbs such as basil, parsley or dill are good companions for peppers. Lettuce, carrots and onions also make good neighbours for peppers in a raised bed.

Cucumbers and squash plants pair well with peppers because their low growth habit shields the soil from direct sun, prevents weeds, and keeps your soil from drying out too quickly. If you choose to grow cucumbers as groundcovers without trellising, try adding organic mulch around your plants.

While shade is important for your hostas, do not plant your hostas under trees whose roots will compete directly with the roots of your hostas. For instance, beeches (fa*gus), birches (Betula), cherries (Prunus), large maples (Acer), poplars (Populus), and willows (Salix) should be avoided.

Marigold companion planting enhances the growth of basil, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, gourds, kale, potatoes, squash and tomatoes. Marigold also makes a good companion plant to melons because it deters beetles. Beans and cabbage are listed as bad companion plants for marigolds.

Plants that require shade or even partial sun and plants that need damp soil or frequent watering will not do well in the same area as milkweed. Plants like hosta, coral bells, and Joe Pye weed will do best in another area of a yard or outdoor space.

What not to plant near onions? ›

While there are many plants you want to grow near onions, there are a few that should definitely be avoided. Onions should not be planted with peas, beans, asparagus, or sage. Onions can stunt the growth of these crops and also negatively affect their flavor.

Basil and rue dislike each other. Perhaps this is because Basil is sweet and rue is very bitter. Fennel is one of the few plants that has mostly bad companions. Most plants dislike Fennel, and it should be planted well away from the vegetable garden.

Potatoes can also spread diseases such as late blight, which can also affect zucchinis. Cucumbers and pumpkins should not be planted next to zucchinis as they belong to the same family (Cucurbitaceae) and therefore attract similar pests and diseases.

Cucumbers and tomatoes can be planted by each other as they share similar growing habits and therefore you can grow tomatoes by cucumbers. Greg Volente from Greenhouse Today explains that: 'Cucumbers and tomatoes are two vigorous growers in a spring garden. They're both vining plants and share similar basic needs.

Benefits of Companion Planting

"A companion plant may repel pests, attract beneficial insects, benefit the growth of another plant, or improve its partner's flavor," says Spoonemore. "Further, companion planting could decrease the need for pesticides, attract pollinators, improve the soil, and increase your harvest."