(Prior posts in this series: Buying seeds, garden resources, starting seeds indoors, transplanting, preparing the garden area, harden off plants before planting, transplanting to garden and pots)
I’ve never planted garlic in my garden until this year. Why? Because I had heard from a master gardener that it was bad for other veggies. So, I was afraid of growing it even though it is one of my most used veggies. When I did some further research, I realized that garlic really only interferes with one veggie that I actually plant — beans! Well, that’s not so bad. I can easily keep them away from each other in the garden.
There really is no huge trick to companion gardening. You can get as complicated as you want, but honestly there are a few simple recommendations that I have.
Plant Companions
There are four main beneficial plants that I highly recommend in your vegetable garden.
1) Basil – companion to nightshades and helps reduce aphids and other pests
2) Dill – great companion for cukes and tomatoes but keep dill from going to seed near tomatoes, attracts butterflies/bees for pollination.
3) Marigolds – these are awesome for keeping away all types of bugs and creatures that will make a feast of your garden before you do! Including bunnies!
4) Nasturiums – also effective in keeping pests away
Have you heard of the three sisters? I might also try a variation of this with sunflowers, corn, beans, and squash this summer. I found this idea on Pinterest.
If you are looking for a more complex planting chart with companions and antagonist plants see this chart below. It come from Australia, but I can’t imagine why it wouldn’t work in the US too. It is by far the most comprehensive that I have found online. Again, I found this on Pinterest — are you on PINTEREST? If not you need to be!
Plants to Avoid in Garden (consider containers)
There are certain plants that I’ve learned to NEVER plant IN my garden. A few are invasive — meaning they will overtake you entire garden. If you want to plant any of these, it’s better to plant each in a separate containers or away from the plants they can cause harm to.
1) Mint – invasive
2) Horseradish – invasive
3) Garlic (with some veggies like beans, beets, and cabbages). Garlic has also been know to help with late season tomato blight and some other pests. So it is often considered a companion for most veggies. Just be careful of its negative effects on some varieties of vegetables.
4) Onions (with some veggies like beans, beets and cabbages)
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Interesting, I didn’t know that about garlic. I do plant them fairly far from each other though.
I’m fascinated by companion planting, and in my experience it really does work! I only recently heard about growing basil near tomatoes so I’m going to try that as well this year. Thank you for sharing another interesting and information gardening post.
It does. I really don’t have too much of a pest problem. (yet)
Very cool resources! Last year half of my garden was destroyed by striped cucumber beetles. I am determined to plant every possible plant that will deter those suckers this year
Good luck Heather. Let us know what you do differently this year!
Calendula are wonderful to have in your garden and you can make some fabulous infused oil with the petals! Camomile is known as the plant healer, in that if you plant it in your garden, it keeps the other plants healthy and strong. Thanks for sharing this too at Seasonal Celebration Sunday x
Rebecca, I believe calendula are the same as marigolds here. I have seen the name interchanged with them before. Yes, they are an excellent companion plant!
Chives can attract flies. Plant them away from your door!