Companion Planting for Vegetable, Herb, Fruit and Flower Gardening


---> CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPANION PLANTING CHART
for a Planting List of Vegetables & Herbs

Companion planting is an interesting vegetable gardening theory that's been around as a popular concept for decades. However, in practice, the companion planting of vegetables and other crops has been used in gardening by native cultures worldwide for as long as mankind has been interested in growing a garden.

Q: Why Companion Planting?
* Better Yield
*Healthier Plants
* Natural Pest Control
* Garden Space Effiency
*Attract Pollinators

 

Q: What is Companion Planting?

The basic theory of companion planting is that different plant types exude various natural chemicals.  By planting them together, certain combinations of plants thrive from the mix of these natural chemicals. These companion vegetables and herbs, planted together, produce higher yields of crops, are more vigorous, and are better able to defend themselves against disease and insects. 

Likewise, the opposite is also true in gardening. Companion planting theory suggests that planting certain types of incompatible vegetable, herb, fruit or flower plants together actually causes them hinder each other's growth. These incompatible plants, placed near each other in your garden will tend to be less vigorous, produce fewer vegetables and be more troubled by plant diseases and insects.

Companion planting example: 

If planted next to each other, it is believed that chives or garlic will stunt the growth of peas or beans. 
However, if planted near roses, garlic will help repel aphids.

In another example of companion planting for your vegetable garden: If you plant horseradish near your potato crop, it can help keep potato bugs at bay.

Companion Planting - Making the Most of Your Garden Space

Companion vegetable gardening can also be used for matters of practicality in your garden.  For example, you might place tall plants with shorter ones to maximize use of your garden space.

Gardening tips:
Check the companion list though, to make sure you're not planting two together that won't get along.

Companion Planting - For Pest Control

Another interesting application of companion planting comes from an old farmer’s “wives tale.”  The tale goes that you should plant pumpkins together with your corn. The tall corn stalks act as a decoy to protect the pumpkins in your garden from pesty bug predators like squash borers (believe it or not, there is actually some scientific evidence to suggest that this works!).  Reciprocating, the pumpkin provides very prickly leaves and vines that are supposed to act as natural “barbed wire” to any raccoons that may be eyeing your tender ears of corn.

Note: I've had mixed reviews on how effective (or not) this is at keeping the racoons away... let us know of your experience with this! gardeningtips@howtogardenadvice.com

Companion Planting Example:
Gardeners have planted corn with pole (climbing) beans for generations. The beans grow up the the corn stalks (as if they were trellises), and the beans process nitrogen to fertilze the corn.  Native American Indians practiced companion planting with their gardening by adding squash into the mix. They called these three vegetable plants, growing together, the “Three Sisters.”

Companion Planting - To Attract Pollinators

Lastly, by mixing mixing herbs and flowers together in among your vegetable patch, you are also practicing companion planting. Placed strategically, these non-traditional vegetable garden plants can help attract pollinating insects to your garden. You may wish to focus on plants that attract bees, butterflies, etc.

The more friendly bugs you have flying from flower to flower, the more fruits and vegetables you will have growing in your garden!

 

Companion Planting Vegetable List: (back to top)

Note:  I’ve found that sources sometimes conflict over the “good” vs. “bad” companion plants.  Use this companion planting list below as a general planting and gardening guideline for growing your vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers together, but do your own study also!

Plant Type

Companions / Compatible

Incompatible
Anise Coriander

Asparagus

Tomato, Parsley, Basil

 
Basil Tomatoes  

Beans, Bush

Potato, Celery, Cucumbers, Corn, Strawberry, Summery Savory

Onions, Fennel

Beans, Pole

Corn, Summery Savory, Radish

Onion, Beets, Kohlrabi, Sunflower

Beets

Bush beans, Lettuce, Onions, Kohlrabi, Cabbage

Pole beans, Mustard
Borage Tomato, Squash, Strawberries  

Cabbage

Celery, Onions, Potatoes, Aromatic Herbs, Beets, Chamomile, Spinach, Chard

Strawberries, Tomatoes, Pole beans, Dill

Carrots

Lettuce, Radish, Onions, Tomatoes, Peas, Rosemary, Sage

Dill

Celery

Onions, Tomato, Cabbage, Bush Beans, Nasturtium

 
Chervil Radishes  

Corn

Pumpkins, Peas, Beans, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Pumpkin

Tomatoes

Cucumbers

Corn, Peas, Radishes, Beans, Sunflowers

Aromatic herbs, Potatoes, Sage
Dill Onions Carrots, Cabbage

Eggplant

Beans, Marigold

 
Fennel plant by itself if possible. plant by itself if possible.
Garlic Roses, Raspberries  

Lettuce

Onions, Strawberries, carrots, radishes, cucumbers

 
Mint Cabbage, Tomatoes  

Onions (& family including, garlic, leeks, shallots, chives)

Lettuce, Beets, Carrots, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Cabbage, Summer Savory

Peas, Beans

Parsley

Tomato, Corn, Asparagus

 

Peas

Carrots, Cucumbers, Corn, Turnips, Radishes, Beans, Potatoes, Aromatic Herbs

Onions, Garlic, Leek, Shallots, Gladiolus
Peppers Tomato, Basil, Parsley, Patunias, Carrots, Onions, Okra Fennel, Kohlrabi

Potatoes

Beans, Corn, Cabbage Family, Marigolds, Horseradish

Pumpkin, Squash, Tomato, Cucumber, Sunflower

Pumpkins

Corn, Marigold

Potato

Radishes

Beets, Carrots, Spinach, Parsnips, Cucumbers, Beans, Lettuce, Peas

Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Kohlrabi, Turnips, Hyssop
Rosemary Beans, Cabbage, Carrots, Sage  
Sage Rosemary, Cabbage, Carrots Cucumbers

Squash

Radishes, Cucumbers, Corn, Nasturtium

Potatoes

Tomatoes

Carrots, Onions, Parsley, Nasturtium, Asparagus, Cucumber

Cabbage, Cauliflower, Fennel, Potatoes
Thyme Cabbage  

Turnip

Peas

Potatoes

Gardening Tips (back to top)

Have a helpful gardening tip (or even a funny story) to share about your companion planting experience? Share it with us at: gardeningtips@howtogardenadvice.com

 

Other articles on vegetable companion planting and gardening:

http://www.humeseeds.com/comp1.htm

http://gardening.about.com/od/organicgardening/qt/Interplanting.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companion_planting

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