Companion planting and pairing different crops together in the garden has worked incredibly well for me in the past. I’ve been pretty vocal about experimenting with plant pairings and how they positively impacted my gardening journey.
In this article, I’ll be discussing in detail a plant pairing that I recently tried out in my garden and got fantastic results from! Yes, I’m talking about marigolds and tomatoes.
So, without wasting any more time, let’s dive right into it!
What Do Marigolds Do In The Garden & What Makes Them So Special?
The thing about marigolds is that many people tend to take them for granted. I know gardeners who initially planted them in their gardens to beautify the landscape and only later learned about their other benefits.
So, first and foremost, stop taking marigolds lightly. They’re absolutely beautiful and their round, soft blooms can add striking visual contrast to the garden, but that’s not all they do.
Marigolds release certain compounds and a strong fragrance that deters pests and insects.
And, trust me when I say this, it’s strong. We, as humans, do not smell it nor does it bother us, but those little garden monsters out there try to avoid this flower at all costs.
Why Pair Marigolds With Tomatoes?
They had to be paired with something, so why not tomatoes, eh? Hah…no…
Marigolds and tomatoes make a lot of sense together in the garden. Tomato crops are susceptible to frequent pest and insect attacks that leave them weak and crippled. I have faced a fair share of pest infestations in my backyard tomato patch to say this…it absolutely sucks.
By pairing marigolds with tomatoes, you provide the fruiting crop with protection to grow in peace and not be harmed by hungry pests that would wreak havoc on the crop.
Additional Reasons Why Tomatoes & Marigolds Go Together
They Share Similar Growing Preferences
A big reason why you can’t just pair anything with anything in the garden is because certain plants just aren’t compatible together due to having different growing preferences. One might prefer loose, constantly moist soil while the other may do well in dry, compacted soil.
Marigolds and tomatoes can thrive in similar conditions. They prefer full sun, well-drained soil, and deep but infrequent watering for optimal growth.
Marigolds Help Attract Pollinators For Tomato Plants
Pollination is an essential aspect of gardening. With tomato plants, pollination is something you need to keep in mind.
Marigolds are perfect for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden due to their loud, bright colors and nectar-rich flowers that pollinators love.
Planting marigolds in close proximity to your tomato plants means the pollinators will be able to do their job more efficiently and positively affect your garden ecosystem.
They Look Good Together
Though this may not be reason enough for some people, I know there is an audience out there that cares for the presentability of their garden.
Because of similar colors and foliage, the look of both plants combined can turn out better than you might expect. The touch of vibrant colors is loud, attention-grabbing, and can keep eyes hooked effortlessly.
Conclusion
As a huge advocate of companion planting, I encourage people to experiment with planting different crops together and trying out what works best for them. However, every once in a while, I may conduct a few experiments of my own and enjoy letting you guys know how it went.
If you have any favorite plant pairings that you’ve been gatekeeping, help your fellow gardeners out and drop them in the comments below!
