As much as I hate to admit it, I actually wasn’t aware of companion planting for a very long while.
When I learned about it and implemented companion planting techniques in my garden, it led me to a whole new world of strong and healthy gardening!
Today, I practice companion planting in my garden wholeheartedly because it’s one of those “tricks” that really work. Let’s discuss what you can pair together and why it may be a good idea to do so.
Companion Planting Combos That Just Work
1: Tomatoes & Basil
Basil has a really strong and pungent aroma that although pleasant for us humans, is absolutely hated by pests and insects. Pairing basil and tomatoes together in the garden helps repel pests like aphids and hornworms while also improving the flavor of the tomatoes.
2: Carrots & Onions
Onions in the garden offer a strong, spicy aroma that pests and insects do not find appealing. The scent tends to deter carrot flies, while carrots keep the soil loose for onion bulbs to thrive.
3: Corn & Beans
I’ve recommended this combination of corn and beans in the garden in a few of my articles. I’ve tried and tested this combo and, trust me, it works. Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, feeding corn, while corn acts as a trellis for beans to climb.
4: Cucumbers & Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are often planted as trap or decoy crops to divert the attention of pests and insects away from the main crops. If you’re facing issues with aphids and beetles, planting nasturtiums nearby can keep your cucumbers pest-free.
5: Peppers & Marigolds
If you’re even 1% in touch with the gardening space, you’ll know that marigolds are widely appreciated for their pest-repellent properties. Growing marigolds along pepper rows in the garden can help repel nematodes and aphids, protecting the delicate pepper roots.
6: Lettuce & Radishes
Why does this combo work?
Well, radishes can help with breaking up and loosening the soil which makes room for lettuce roots to grow deeper into the ground. This ensures a stronger, more secure root system that doesn’t just wither away at the first sign of trouble.
7: Squash & Borage
If you’ve never seen borages, I highly recommend you take a look at some because they’re absolutely stunning and have this peach-fuzzy texture with those vibrant colors that are just worthy of attention.
Squash and borage work well together because borage repels bugs that could potentially damage developing squashes. They also attract pollinators that help with improving fruit production.
8: Potatoes & Horseradish
Although this combination sounds wrong and unpleasant to the ear, it actually works pretty well in the garden. Horseradish not only helps to strengthen potato plants but its powerful spicy aroma also deters potato beetles quite effectively.
9: Strawberries & Thyme
Thyme is another powerful herb featured in today’s list. As we all know, it has a strong aroma that can easily fill up the garden if planted in large quantities.
Because strawberries can be very delicate and vulnerable, thyme is planted nearby to deter worms and slugs that could potentially be interested in feeding on it.
10: Cabbage & Dill
Not all insects in the garden are harmful and malicious; some come with the purpose of improving your garden’s ecosystem and do just that.
Dill is one versatile herb that does the job of attracting beneficial insects like ground beetles and ladybugs to the garden that prey on other harmful pests and insects like cabbage worms that can wreak havoc in your cabbage patch if you’re not careful.
