Companion Planting Guide: Maximize Your Garden's Potential
What is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is the practice of growing certain plants together to benefit each other. This ancient technique can improve yields, deter pests, and create a more productive garden.
Benefits of Companion Planting
- Pest Control: Some plants naturally repel pests
- Pollination: Attract beneficial insects
- Space Efficiency: Maximize garden space
- Soil Health: Some plants fix nitrogen or improve soil structure
- Shade and Support: Tall plants can provide shade for shade-loving crops
Classic Companion Combinations
Three Sisters
The traditional Native American combination of corn, beans, and squash. Corn provides support for beans, beans fix nitrogen, and squash shades the soil.
Tomatoes and Basil
Basil repels tomato hornworms and improves tomato flavor. Plant basil around tomato plants.
Carrots and Onions
Onions repel carrot flies, while carrots may help deter onion pests. Interplant these in rows.
Lettuce and Radishes
Fast-growing radishes can be harvested before lettuce needs the space. Plant radishes between lettuce rows.
Plants to Avoid Planting Together
- Tomatoes and potatoes (same family, share diseases)
- Beans and onions (onions can inhibit bean growth)
- Carrots and dill (dill can attract pests harmful to carrots)
Planning Your Companion Garden
When planning your garden, consider plant heights, root depths, and growth rates. Use companion planting charts as a guide, but also experiment to see what works best in your specific garden conditions.