What Vegetables Grow Well Together & Why Companion Planting Matters | LoveToKnow (2024)

An Easy Guide to Which Vegetables Grow Well Together

There is a science behind which veggies you shouldplant together in your garden. Every gardener needs to knowwho makes the best bedfellows and who the undesirable roommates are. Thankfully for you, we've laid it all out.

Companion Planting Basics

Companion planting is the art and science of laying out a vegetable garden so that complementary types of veggies thrive in the same bed. It's a bit different from crop rotation, which means successively planting vegetables from different plant families in the same garden area season after seasonto minimize insect and disease problems. With companion planting, you're striving to create a harmonious ecosystem so Mother Nature can share her successes with you.

The Science BehindComplementary Planting

The rule of (green) thumb for companion planting is to note which family each vegetable comes from and planting complementary families together. Vegetables from the cabbage family, for example, like to be planted with beets and members of the leafy green family.

Herbs end up joining the group because manyhelpdeterpests. Sometimes they even add a bit of zest likemint, which does double duty byalso improving thecabbages' flavor. You could plant any member of the cabbage family — which includesbroccoli and kale — with mint and see a higher yield and improved disease resistance.

Related: 10 Unbeetable Beets Companion Plants for a Healthy Harvest

Avoid Planting Some Vegetables Near Each Other

Just like people have their likes and dislikes when it comes to food,vegetables can be pretty persnickety too. They've got no problem voicing their preferences for who theirnext-door neighbors should be. Make sure you listen and match veggies well to encourage growth and high yields. For example, you'll want to keep corn and garlic separate, as well as tomatoes and peas. Although most gardeners want to jump straight into the dirt-digging portion of planting, this research phase isn't something you want to skip.

Other Flora Companions for Various Veggies

Veggies aren't the only companion plants.When you have a kitchen garden, you'll want your vegetables, herbs, and flowers to work well together. Not only is this super convenient,but it harnesses the power of nature to create an organic garden that naturally repels pests. You don't want the field mice chomping up your red-leaf lettuce. Marigolds are a gold-standard flower companion to most vegetables, but many herbs do great as well.

Marigold

It's a drag thatMarigoldsare annuals, but they're worth planting because theyrepel many insect species. You can plant the red, yellow, and orangebeautiesaround tomatoes to inhibit ugly green hornworms. These big buggers can devour an entire tomato plant in one night. Plant marigoldsaround your entire vegetable garden each year to add some bright color and keep the insect predators away.

Herbs

As mentioned, mint is a winning herb companion but other herbs also keep creatures out of your garden. Tuckbasil, oregano, rosemary, and chives in among your tomato and pepper plants. You can harvest the entire crop and make one great-tasting dinner in one fell swoop.

These herbs that do double-dutypack a lot of flavor, making your recipes that much tastier.

• Nasturtium and rosemary deter beetles that attack beans.
• Thyme repels the cabbage worm.
• Chives and garlic keep the aphids away.
• Oregano doesn't mesh well withinsects, so it's a sure bet.

Reap the Benefits of Your Strategic Planting

Gardening truly is an art — if it's carefully curated, you can create a synergetic system that nourishes your body and produces the tastiest treats. Companion planting allows you to harness the power of science and nature for higher yields and built-inpest control. Like any parent taking care of their babies, you want all of your kids to get along, and following companion planting guidelines will ensure that they do.