A Guide to Companion Planting in Your Vegetable Garden
Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants together. It is mainly used in the context of vegetable gardens, but ornamentals such as roses equally benefit from having neighbors they like.
Unlike other areas of gardening, companion planting is not always based on hard scientific facts but rather on observations, the type of garden lore found in farmer’s almanacs.
Just as there are plants that make good neighbors, there are also no-noes. Generally, plants that compete because of similar nutrient needs, water, space—aboveground and below with their root systems—as well as sunlight should not be planted next to each other.
Crops that are susceptible to the same plant disease, such as blight, should be kept as far as possible from each other to prevent it from spreading. The same applies to pests.
Some crops inhibit the growth of other plants. Fennel is probably the best-known of the poor companion plants that needs to be given its own spot in the garden far away from all other crops.
Just as there are plants that make good neighbors, there are also no-noes. Generally, plants that compete because of similar nutrient needs, water, space—aboveground and below with their root systems—as well as sunlight should not be planted next to each other.
Crops that are susceptible to the same plant disease, such as blight, should be kept as far as possible from each other to prevent it from spreading. The same applies to pests.
Some crops inhibit the growth of other plants. Fennel is probably the best-known of the poor companion plants that needs to be given its own spot in the garden far away from all other crops.
| Garden crop | Companion plants | Plants to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Beans | Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garden peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes | Beets, Members of the onion family (onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, scallions, chives), Peppers |
| Carrots | Beans, Garden peas, Lettuce, Onions, Tomatoes | Dill, Parsnips, Parsley |
| Cabbage and other cole crops (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, kale, kohlrabi, rutabagas, turnips) | Other cole crops, Onions, Potatoes | Pole beans, Strawberries, Tomatoes |
| Corn | Beans, Cucumbers, Garden peas, Melons, Potatoes, Squash | Tomatoes |
| Cucumbers | Beans, Beets, Corn, Onions, Garden peas, Radishes | Melons, Potatoes |
| Garden peas | Beans, Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Peppers, Radishes, Spinach, Tomatoes | Members of the onion family, Potatoes |
| Garlic | Beets, Carrots, Cole crops, Eggplant, Peppers, Potatoes, Tomatoes | Beans, Garden peas |
| Lettuce | Corn, Pumpkins, Radishes, Squash | Cole crops |
| Melon and watermelon | Broccoli, Corn, Garlic, Radishes | Potatoes |
| Onions | Beets, Carrots, Cole crops, Lettuce | Beans, Peas |
| Peppers | Basil, Onions | Beans |
| Potatoes | Beans, Cole crops, Corn, Lettuce, Spinach, Radishes | Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes |
| Summer squash/zucchini | Beans, Corn, Garden peas, Radishes | Potatoes |
| Tomatoes | Basil and other herbs, Carrots, Cucumbers, Squash as part of a three-way companion partnership | Cole crops, Corn, Potatoes |
Planting flowers in your vegetable garden does more than creating beauty and providing cut flowers. Annuals such as nasturtiums, sunflowers, marigolds, and zinnias, and perennials such as lavender repel pests and attract beneficial insects.