Although making plant pairings in your garden is up to you and how you want it, some combinations are just time-proven and have always worked.
I remember when I first heard the concept of plant pairings from my gardening enthusiast uncle, I paired spinach with beets in my backyard and the results were…well…pretty terrible and underwhelming.
The beets competed for space and nutrients because they’re heavy feeders, leaving little for the spinach to utilize for growth.
However, as I better understood plant pairs and how they should complement each other, I can tell you with confidence that my pairings have always succeeded since then.
So, for people looking to NOT waste their efforts and plant something useful and complementary alongside their spinach, here are 11 solid options to choose from:
Spinach Companion Planting – 11 Plants To Grow & 3 To Avoid
11 – Onions
This bulbous vegetable is a universal favorite. It brings an incredible, sweet flavor to savory dishes and can be eaten caramelized, sauteed, or raw.
10 – Cabbage
This leafy vegetable particularly thrives in the same cool temperature conditions as spinach and is a staple in fresh, crisp salads.
9 – Tomatoes
Because tomato plants can grow quite tall in the garden, they will protect your spinach leaves from intense sunlight while providing you with juicy, flavorful fruit at the same time.
8 – Garlic
We all know and love garlic for its aromatic scent but it definitely should be praised more for its insect repellent properties in the garden. Pairing it with spinach will help keep away harmful pests and insects.
7 – Radish
Radishes are relatively fast-growing and they complement savory dishes thanks to their strong, pepper flavor. Pairing them with spinach is a good idea since they won’t compete for resources in the soil.
6 – Kale
Not only is kale hardy and nutrient-dense like spinach, but it also has similar growing requirements. Pairing them together in the garden can be very productive!
5 – Sugar Snap Peas
This sweet, vibrant, and crunchy legume grows vertically in the garden and can provide some shade to spinach which mainly develops leaves in the lower extremities.
4 – Swiss Chard
Swiss chard brings vibrant color to the garden and prefers cooler temperature conditions for efficient growth. You can pair spinach and Swiss chard together due to their similar growing requirements.
3 – Leeks
Leeks are a long, slender vegetable that’s used in savory dishes to bring a unique, mildly sweet flavor. They thrive in cooler temperatures, aid with insect repelling, and won’t compete for nutrients if paired with spinach in the garden.
2 – Cucumbers
Cucumbers grow on vines and they thrive in sunny conditions. Their sprawling growth can help weed suppression as well as attract beneficial insects that can improve the overall garden ecosystem.
1 – Carrots
Carrots typically have roots that won’t create competition for resources in the soil. They take longer to grow and would allow for better, more efficient utilization of garden soil.
3 Plants To Avoid Pairing With Spinach
3 – Fennel
All parts of this sweet, licorice-like flavored vegetable can be eaten, be it the bulb, seeds, or leaves. However, it isn’t the best idea to plant it next to spinach in the garden since it produces certain compounds that can disturb the growth of nearby plants.
2 – Strawberries
Strawberry plants feature extensive root systems that can compete for resources like water and nutrients if planted alongside spinach; the two shouldn’t be paired together in the garden if seeing spinach grow in harmony is important to you.
1 – Pumpkins
Although it wouldn’t be much of a problem if you have a big garden, but pumpkins and spinach together will take up a lot of space. If maximum space utilization is something that matters to you (it does to wise gardeners), this pairing certainly isn’t ideal.
Conclusion
Now that you have an idea of plants and vegetables you should and probably shouldn’t pair in the garden, it’s up to you to experiment with different combinations and decide the kind of look or productivity you like.
Be kind to your spinach by making wise pairing choices.